Tensions flare between Cambodia and Thailand over temple

Tensions flare between Cambodia and Thailand over temple

whc.unesco.org

Old tensions at a World Heritage Site on the Thailand-Cambodia border appear to have been reignited.

On Wednesday, Cambodian soldiers claimed that approximately 100 Thai troops entered Cambodian territory briefly in the area near Phra Viharn temple. Thailand’s military immediately denied the charge.

A spokesman for the Thai military said they only have a few soldiers in the area under dispute, and that both countries have had troops posted there since last October’s clashes.

“There are nearly 100 armed Thai troops - fighting troops - who violated about one kilometre into Cambodian territory,” claimed a spokesman for the Cambodian government.

Both sides later said that the Thai troops pulled back from the disputed area after talks were held between Thai and Cambodian commanders.

During the standoff, a Cambodian soldier posted at the temple said to an AFP reporter on the phone that the situation was “hot and all Cambodian troops are fully alert and prepared”.

In July of 2008, tensions flared over the long-disputed territory after the 11th- century temple on the site was granted UNESCO World Heritage status. In October, a clash in the area left four soldiers dead.

Talks between the countries since that time have not led to a resolution of their dispute.

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