Thai troops cross into Cambodian territory - officials

Phnom Penh: Cambodia claimed that 170 troops and civilians from Thailand crossed into Cambodian territory amid rising tensions over their disputed border, but Thai officials denied there was any incursion.

The Thai military officials insisted their troops had simply deployed near a disputed border area "to protect our sovereignty."

The latest spat came after Unesco declared a temple, the centre of a long-standing quarrel between the neighbours, a World Heritage Site and has been stoked by Thai anti-government activists.

Cambodian Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said 170 troops and Thai civilians had crossed into Cambodian territory. He could not say how many civilians were among the group.

Hang Soth, who heads an agency responsible for the monument, said the troops entered Cambodian territory Tuesday near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple in violation of his country's sovereignty.

He later said the Cambodian authorities are negotiating with the Thai soldiers to encourage them to return to Thailand. He did not reveal the conditions of the negotiations.

The incident claimed at least one casualty. A land mine explosion sheared the right leg off a Thai soldier patrolling in the area, said Thai army Colonel Sirichan Ngathong.