Thai-Cambodia border fighting enters fourth day

Cambodian troops near the temple. The two sides blame each other for breaking the truce

The armies of Cambodia and Thailand have exchanged fire across their border for a fourth day.

Artillery and machine gun fire was heard in the disputed area around the 11th Century Preah Vihear temple, which was damaged in earlier fighting.

On Sunday Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen asked the UN Security Council to stop what he said was Thailand's "aggression" against his country.

At least five people were killed in clashes on Friday and Saturday.

Each side accuses the other of firing first.

On Sunday the Cambodian government said a Thai bombardment had damaged the ancient temple - a claim the Thais have not reacted to.

"The firing has started for the fourth time," Hun Sen said at a graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh on Monday.

Fire was exchanged both ways across the border at about 0800 local time (0100GMT).
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There has been increased tension in the region since Cambodia won World Heritage status for the temple in 2008.

An international court ruling in 1962 said that the temple belonged to Cambodia although its main entrance is in Thailand and the surrounding area is claimed by both sides.

The most recent tension was sparked this month when a Cambodian court sentenced two members of a Thai nationalist movement to up to eight years in prison after finding them guilty of espionage.

Cambodia says the Thais started shooting four days ago. An unnamed Thai military source told reporters it had been "a misunderstanding".

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12378987

'Two dead' in Thai-Cambodia military border clash

Cambodia secured the World Heritage listing of the ancient Preah Vihear temple in 2008

Thai and Cambodian forces have exchanged artillery fire in a disputed border area, with a Cambodian soldier and a Thai civilian reported killed.

The Cambodian government has called it an "invasion", while the Thai military said it was a misunderstanding.

Tension has been rising in recent days, with both sides moving in more troops.

Shells landed in the grounds of the ancient Preah Vihear temple on the Cambodian side of the border and in a Thai village.

It is the most serious incident on the border for some time.

A Cambodian government spokesman blamed the encroachment of Thai soldiers for the fighting and said a complaint would be sent to the UN Security Council.

Long-running dispute

A Thai military official insisted that artillery fire from Cambodia was the trigger. But he said it might have been unintentional.

The fighting ended after about two hours, with both sides confirming a ceasefire.

The two countries' foreign ministers had been meeting in Cambodia to discuss the long-running border dispute when the fighting started.

The Thai nationalist "yellow-shirt" movement has called on its government to take a harder line on the issue with its smaller neighbour.

It is planning a demonstration in front of Cambodia's embassy in Bangkok on Saturday.

There has been tension in the region ever since Cambodia secured the World Heritage listing of the Preah Vihear temple in 2008.

This caused joy in Cambodia, and anguish in Thailand - which once claimed the temple.

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12363768