Thai-Cambodian border clashes resume after 'ceasefire'

BANGKOK: Violent clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers erupted on Sunday, despite both countries agreed a ceasefire yesterday, the Bangkok Post reported.

Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the clashes broke out after bullets were fired from the Cambodian side and Thai soldiers retaliated with artillery.

 The gunfire exchanges had not yet ended, Kaewkamnerd said, as cited by the newspaper.

According to MCOT Online news, seven people, including two villagers and five soldiers, have been wounded so far.

Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has faced pressure from the powerful "Yellow Shirts" activists from the People's Alliance for Democracy for his handling of the issue, had said the "army and foreign ministries from both countries are working to normalize the situation."

A Cambodian military commander stationed at the Preah Vihear Temple said the Thai and Cambodian armies had held talks to improve the situation, though he cautioned the atmosphere remained "tense" and both sides were "still on alert."

One Thai soldier, one civilian and at least three Cambodians were reportedly killed Friday and Saturday in exchanges of small arms and artillery fire along the border between Thailand's Si Sa Ket province and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province.

Cambodia and Thailand have been involved in the border dispute since Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple was enlisted as World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. Thailand claims ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple. Periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.

(BNO NEWS )