Sunday, 5 April 2009

Thai press: Cambodian army fires twice at Thai troops, no injuries

www.chinaview.cn
2009-04-04

BANGKOK, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian troops opened fire twice at Thai troops at the border area near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple Saturday afternoon, but no one was injured, local media reported.

Around 11:30 a.m. (0430 GMT), a Cambodian soldier fired over ten shots of AK-47 assault rifle from in front of Preah Vihear temple into a ground of Mor Edaeng Cliff, prompting Thai paramilitary troopers there to run for cover. A Cambodian soldier was then heard shouting, the gun accidentally fired, The Nation news website said Saturday.

Over an hour later at 12:45 p.m. (0545 GMT), Thai troops stationed on a base on the cliff heard an artillery fire from the "Cambodian soil", prompting them to run for cover, according to The Nation.

The incident came one day after the both sides exchanged fire at the disputed area which caused at least one Thai soldier dead and seven others injured.

Also on Friday, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva blamed a "misunderstanding" as the cause of the border clash while Cambodia insisted that all the incidents along the border be resolved through negotiations, but reserved rights of self-defense,

Meanwhile, Thai villagers living in 25 villages considered "risk prone areas" were instructed to prepare for evacuation if a fresh clash erupts or if soldiers of either side starts to reinforce troops, the Thai News Agency quoted a Si Sa Ket border province governor's order as saying.

Since July 2008, troops from both sides have stationed near the Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and two armed confrontations last year sparked brief concerns of war. The two neighboring countries have never fully demarcated their disputed border, partly due to the landmines left over from decades of civil war in Cambodia.

Editor: Bi Mingxin

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