BBC News
One Thai soldier has died in a fresh border clash between Thailand and Cambodia, Thai officials say, despite a truce struck hours before.
Thai military spokesmen said four Thai soldiers were also wounded in the skirmishes.
Fighting began a week ago and has been mainly around two ancient temples in jungle areas claimed by both countries.
The clashes have displaced tens of thousands of people, and at least 15 troops have been killed.
Thailand says that one Thai civilian has also died.
Thai officials suggested that Friday's clash was less serious than before and there might yet be a chance to salvage the truce.
As before, both sides accused the other of starting the violence.
In blaming Cambodia for the latest fighting, another Thai army spokesman, Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said that "local units might not agree to the talks as easily as their commanders did".
Cambodian Col Suos Sothea said the clashes had begun after the Thais fired shells into Cambodia early on Friday.
"We cannot trust the Thais," he was quoted as saying. "Yesterday they said they'd stop fighting and now they are attacking us again."
The violence erupted on 22 April, mainly around the temples of Ta Krabey and Ta Moan. It spread briefly to a third location - the hill-top temple of Preah Vihear - on Tuesday.
Parts of the Thai-Cambodian border have never been formally demarcated, spurring nationalist sentiment in both countries and sparking sporadic clashes.
Fighting took place three years ago in the run-up to a general election in Cambodia, and this latest outbreak comes with the Thai government due to call an election in the coming weeks.
No comments:
Post a Comment