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Gunfight on Thai-Cambodia border Gunfight on Thai-Cambodia border
(about 1 hour later)
Thai and Cambodian soldiers have exchanged gunfire along a disputed section of their border, leaving several from both sides wounded. Thai and Cambodian soldiers have exchanged gunfire along a disputed section of their border, leaving one Cambodian solider killed.
The clash, near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, prompted Thailand to urge its nationals to leave Cambodia. The clash, near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, has prompted Thailand to urge its nationals to leave Cambodia.
Tensions have been high since July, when hundreds of soldiers on both sides faced off metres apart.Tensions have been high since July, when hundreds of soldiers on both sides faced off metres apart.
Both countries claim they own the area around the temple, which recently became a Unesco World Heritage site.Both countries claim they own the area around the temple, which recently became a Unesco World Heritage site.
Officials from both countries have said the other side fired first.Officials from both countries have said the other side fired first.
'Death zone' Temple tensions
There were reported to be exchanges of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. The exchanges of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades were reported to continue for about one hour.
A Cambodian defence ministry official said at least 10 Thai soldiers had been captured. The Cambodian military said one of its soldiers had been killed while Thai officials said four of their soldiers had been wounded.
A Thai army spokesman said one Cambodian soldier was killed and four Thais wounded. A Cambodian army official told the Associated Press news agency that commanders from both sides were trying to negotiate a ceasefire.
A Cambodian army official told the Associated Press news agency that the fighting had now stopped and commanders from both sides were trying to negotiate a ceasefire. Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said the fighting was "small scale" and that he was committed to reaching a settlement over the issue.
Political tensions driving temple rowIn pictures: Preah VihearPolitical tensions driving temple rowIn pictures: Preah Vihear
After the fighting broke out, Thailand alerted air force jets and readied transport planes to evacuate Thai nationals from Cambodia.After the fighting broke out, Thailand alerted air force jets and readied transport planes to evacuate Thai nationals from Cambodia.
The military stand-off began in July when Cambodian troops detained three Thai protesters who had entered the site illegally.The military stand-off began in July when Cambodian troops detained three Thai protesters who had entered the site illegally.
Around 2,000 soldiers from both countries moved into the area, digging trenches into the rough terrain around the temple. More than 1,000 soldiers from both countries moved into the area, digging trenches into the rough terrain around the temple.
The tension turned violent in October when one Cambodian and two Thai soldiers were wounded in an exchange of gunfire. August saw an agreement to withdraw most of the troops from the area but tensions flared again recently.
One Cambodian and two Thai soldiers were wounded in an exchange of gunfire earlier in October.
'Death zone'
The two sides have already held several rounds of talks on the issue, but have failed to reach a settlement.The two sides have already held several rounds of talks on the issue, but have failed to reach a settlement.
They agreed in August to reduce troop numbers, but last week Cambodia said that 500 Thai troops had massed in the area.They agreed in August to reduce troop numbers, but last week Cambodia said that 500 Thai troops had massed in the area.
TEMPLE DISPUTE TIMELINE 1962: International court awards temple to Cambodia, but surrounding land remains undesignated1970s-1990s: Khmer Rouge guerrillas occupy site2001-2002: Thai troops block access over water rowJuly 2008: Unesco lists temple as a World Heritage SiteJuly 2008: Thai FM quits after court rules he violated constitution for backing Cambodia's Unesco bidJuly 2008: Both sides move troops to temple area
On Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened to turn the area into a "death zone" if the Thai troops did not withdraw.On Tuesday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen threatened to turn the area into a "death zone" if the Thai troops did not withdraw.
Thailand denied that its troops had entered Cambodian territory.Thailand denied that its troops had entered Cambodian territory.
Temple tensions
The stand-off between the two countries centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment dividing the countries.The stand-off between the two countries centres on 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which sits on a jungle-clad escarpment dividing the countries.
TEMPLE DISPUTE TIMELINE 1962: International court awards temple to Cambodia, but surrounding land remains undesignated1970s-1990s: Khmer Rouge guerrillas occupy site2001-2002: Thai troops block access over water rowJuly 2008: Unesco lists temple as a World Heritage SiteJuly 2008: Thai FM quits after court rules he violated constitution for backing Cambodia's Unesco bidJuly 2008: Both sides move troops to temple area
The temple is only accessible from Thailand and the area around it is heavily mined - a legacy of Cambodia's long war against the Khmer Rouge guerrillas.The temple is only accessible from Thailand and the area around it is heavily mined - a legacy of Cambodia's long war against the Khmer Rouge guerrillas.
An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.An international court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but land surrounding it remains the subject of rival territorial claims.
The decision by the UN in June to list Preah Vihear as a Unesco World Heritage Site reignited lingering nationalist tensions over the issue.The decision by the UN in June to list Preah Vihear as a Unesco World Heritage Site reignited lingering nationalist tensions over the issue.
Disputes between the two countries date back centuries when the Thai and Khmer monarchs fought each other for territory and power.Disputes between the two countries date back centuries when the Thai and Khmer monarchs fought each other for territory and power.
In 2003, the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh was torched by rioters angry over the alleged comments of a Thai actress who said that the Angkor Wat temple complex should be returned to Thailand.In 2003, the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh was torched by rioters angry over the alleged comments of a Thai actress who said that the Angkor Wat temple complex should be returned to Thailand.
Are you in the vicinity of the Thai-Cambodian border? Have you heard or witnessed hostilities between troops? Send us your comments and experiences.Are you in the vicinity of the Thai-Cambodian border? Have you heard or witnessed hostilities between troops? Send us your comments and experiences.
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