World | Other World Stories
Thai, Cambodian forces clash along border
Fighting broke out along a disputed stretch of the Thai-Cambodian border on Wednesday as Thailand urged its citizens to return home immediately.
- Agencies
- Published: 12:40 October 15, 2008
- Thai soldiers guard the disputed area in this photo from July 2008.
- Image Credit: AP
Bangkok: Fighting broke out along a disputed stretch of the Thai-Cambodian border on Wednesday as Thailand urged its citizens to return home immediately.
Two Cambodian soldiers were wounded in the hour-long standoff, a Defence Ministry official said. Cambodian forces had also surrounded at least a dozen Thai soldiers, he added without giving more details.
Cambodian officials alleged that Thai soldiers instigated the fighting, an accusation that Thailand vehemently denied.
"We have confirmation of the shooting incident involving light firearms or RPG. Thai troops insisted they did not start the incident, and we're following the prime minister's policy of exercising restraint," a spokesman said.
One Thai soldier was wounded in the fighting.
Tensions have been high in the region over the border dispute involving a 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple that both sides claim.
On Tuesday, Thailand beefed security along the crossing, just hours after Cambodia said soldiers had pulled back.
Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat urged Thai nationals in Cambodia to leave as soon as possible after the clashes.
"Thai businessmen who have no need to be in Cambodia now, please rush back to Thailand," Sompong told reporters.
"We have our evacuation plan ready," he added.
Share this article
Related Articles
News Editor's choice
-
King Tut's tomb set for project
Observers note strange brown spots marring lavish wall paintings
-
Thieves caught with Dh6m in gold bars
Twenty-five gold bars were stolen from the luggage of a Malaysian tradesman
-
What to expect at the Dubai Airshow
We preview what types of aircraft to expect at the Dubai Airshow
