Thailand/Cambodia

Tensions diminish on border

Article published on the 2008-10-16 Latest update 2008-10-17 09:51 TU

A Cambodian soldier with rockets on patrol in the disputed border region.
(Photo: Reuters)

The Thai and Cambodian governments agreed to joint border patrols after a firefight broke out on disputed territory, killing two Cambodian soldiers and leaving nine soldiers from both sides injured.

“We will introduce the joint patrol to avoid this kind of incident happening again,” said Lieutenant General Wiboonsak Neeparn, Thailand’s northeastern army commander after a meeting with Cambodian military officials.

The details of the firefight remain murky as both sides deny starting the shooting, and Cambodia claimed to have taken prisoner, then released, 10 Thai soldiers – something that Thailand vehemently denies.

Despite the easing of immediate tensions, the underlying border dispute isn’t any closer to being resolved. It started in July when Unesco awarded World Heritage Site status to Preah Vihear temple in Cambodia, angering Thai nationalists who consider the site to be part of Thailand.

Troops built up to the point where there were 1,000 soldiers standing off at the site in August, though their numbers have been reduced after a deal was struck in September.

Continuing talks to diffuse the crisis failed earlier this week, again flaring tensions. The Thai-Cambodian border has never been fully demarcated, in large part due to the number of landmines left in the area following the Vietnam war.