Thailand and Cambodia clash again along border

Thousands of villagers have been evacuated from the area around the latest fighting

22 April 2011
BBC News

Fighting has resumed along the border between Thailand and Cambodia, a day after clashes in which at least six soldiers were killed.

Troops exchanged artillery and gunfire in jungle around Ta Krabey temple, which both sides claim.

The area is about 200km (125 miles) west of the disputed 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, the scene of deadly clashes in February.

Thousands of civilians have been evacuated from the area.

"Fresh fighting started at around 0600 (2300 GMT Friday) with rifles and mortar shelling," said Thai army spokesman Col Prawit Hookaew.

"We are negotiating to stop the fighting," he added.

Cambodia said artillery shelling had also taken place.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from Saturday's exchanges.

Until Friday, an informal truce had appeared to be holding.

Cambodia said three of its soldiers were killed on Friday and six wounded while a Thai spokesman told the BBC that three of its soldiers had been killed and 11 injured.

Both sides blamed each other for the fighting.

Indonesia, which has been negotiating peace talks between the two neighbours on behalf of the regional group Asean, has called for an immediate ceasefire.

Preah Vihear temple was awarded to Cambodia in 1962 by an international court.

But both sides claim ownership of the surrounding area, and there have been several skirmishes there in recent years.

Other parts of the Thai-Cambodian border have not yet been formally demarcated, causing continuing tensions between the two countries.