Asia-Pacific

Cambodian, Thai troops break truce

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-30 11:13

PHNOM PENH - Exchange of gunfire between Cambodian and Thai troops broke out again early Saturday in the disputed border area near the 13th century Ta Krabei temple in Oddar Meanchey province, marking the ninth straight day of border clash, said a field military commander.

Related readings:  Nearly 50,000 Thai border villagers evacuated  'We did not fire first': Thai army spokesman  Cambodia expresses regret over Thai's attacks  Thai army reinforces troops at Cambodian border

"The fighting started again this morning at around 4:00 am at Ta Krabei temple, Thai soldiers launched the attack first," Suos Sothea, deputy commander of the artillery unit, told Xinhua by telephone from the battle field.

"Thai troops have fired small arms, rockets and artillery at our troops. We have also opened fire to defend our territory, but we have not used heavy weapons to fight back yet."

It's too early to report casualties, he said.

The fighting erupted again despite both sides reached ceasefire agreement after the conflict left eight Cambodian and seven Thai soldiers and one Thai civilian dead in the last eight days.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated.

Cambodian Ministry of Defense said that Thai troops wanted to capture Ta Krabei temple and Ta Mon temple, 150 kilometers west of Preah Vihear temple which has been a flash point of border conflict between the two neighboring countries since it was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008.