SAMRONG, Cambodia – Fighting erupted on the Thai-Cambodian border
within hours of a truce deal, officials said Friday, as the bloodiest conflict
between the countries in decades claimed a 16th life.
Cambodia said the resumption of hostilities soon after a ceasefire deal on Thursday demonstrated that Thai forces did not "respect... the promise of a ceasefire by Thailand which was made in a bilateral form".
A defence ministry spokesman added that he was "very disappointed and regretted... the artillery attacks by Thai troops" but said Cambodia would "strongly adhere" to the deal struck by commanders from both countries.
One Thai soldier died and six were wounded in sporadic skirmishes overnight, said Colonel Prawit Hookaew, Thailand's northeastern army region spokesman. He said fighting was with grenades and rifles but denied there had been shelling.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban indicated there might be a chance to salvage the truce.
"It's not considered a breach of ceasefire because they have used personal firearms. But if the clash expands with heavy weapons, that means the agreement is no longer valid," he told reporters.
Both sides have blamed the other for sparking clashes around two temples at the jungle frontier between the countries, now in their eighth day, which have caused around 85,000 people to flee from their homes.
The countries had reacted cautiously to Thursday's peace deal, struck after talks among local commanders.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the agreement was a "good sign", but added that "we have to wait and see whether real peace has been achieved".
Thai and Cambodian commanders had agreed at the talks to reopen border gates and "create a climate to allow civilians to return home", according to the Cambodian defence ministry.
On Friday Cambodia said it had asked the World Court to clarify a 1962 ruling about territory around the ancient Preah Vihear temple -- an area that has inflamed tensions between the two neighbours.
The current clashes are centred around two temple complexes 150 kilometres (90 miles) west of Preah Vihear, although there was some fighting at the site on Tuesday.
Seven Thai troops and eight Cambodian soldiers have died since the clashes began last Friday. Bangkok has said a Thai civilian has also been killed.
Heavy weapons fire has also strayed towards villages around the frontier, causing nearly 50,000 people in Thailand and around 35,000 in Cambodia to flee their homes.
Phnom Penh also claims that Thailand used spy planes and poison gas during the conflict -- an allegation denied by Bangkok.
The countries have come under increasing international pressure to stop the violence.
The Thai-Cambodian border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines left over from years of war in Cambodia.
Preah Vihear has been the focus of tensions since it was granted UN World Heritage status in 2008 and 10 people died in clashes between the neighbours there in February.
The World Court ruled in 1962 that the 900-year-old temple belonged to Cambodia, but both countries claim ownership of a 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) surrounding area.
Cambodia said a clarification by the court was of "the utmost necessity... in order to peacefully and definitely settle the boundary problem between the two countries in the area". AFP
Cambodia said the resumption of hostilities soon after a ceasefire deal on Thursday demonstrated that Thai forces did not "respect... the promise of a ceasefire by Thailand which was made in a bilateral form".
A defence ministry spokesman added that he was "very disappointed and regretted... the artillery attacks by Thai troops" but said Cambodia would "strongly adhere" to the deal struck by commanders from both countries.
One Thai soldier died and six were wounded in sporadic skirmishes overnight, said Colonel Prawit Hookaew, Thailand's northeastern army region spokesman. He said fighting was with grenades and rifles but denied there had been shelling.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban indicated there might be a chance to salvage the truce.
"It's not considered a breach of ceasefire because they have used personal firearms. But if the clash expands with heavy weapons, that means the agreement is no longer valid," he told reporters.
Both sides have blamed the other for sparking clashes around two temples at the jungle frontier between the countries, now in their eighth day, which have caused around 85,000 people to flee from their homes.
The countries had reacted cautiously to Thursday's peace deal, struck after talks among local commanders.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the agreement was a "good sign", but added that "we have to wait and see whether real peace has been achieved".
Thai and Cambodian commanders had agreed at the talks to reopen border gates and "create a climate to allow civilians to return home", according to the Cambodian defence ministry.
On Friday Cambodia said it had asked the World Court to clarify a 1962 ruling about territory around the ancient Preah Vihear temple -- an area that has inflamed tensions between the two neighbours.
The current clashes are centred around two temple complexes 150 kilometres (90 miles) west of Preah Vihear, although there was some fighting at the site on Tuesday.
Seven Thai troops and eight Cambodian soldiers have died since the clashes began last Friday. Bangkok has said a Thai civilian has also been killed.
Heavy weapons fire has also strayed towards villages around the frontier, causing nearly 50,000 people in Thailand and around 35,000 in Cambodia to flee their homes.
Phnom Penh also claims that Thailand used spy planes and poison gas during the conflict -- an allegation denied by Bangkok.
The countries have come under increasing international pressure to stop the violence.
The Thai-Cambodian border has never been fully demarcated, partly because it is littered with landmines left over from years of war in Cambodia.
Preah Vihear has been the focus of tensions since it was granted UN World Heritage status in 2008 and 10 people died in clashes between the neighbours there in February.
The World Court ruled in 1962 that the 900-year-old temple belonged to Cambodia, but both countries claim ownership of a 4.6-square-kilometre (1.8-square-mile) surrounding area.
Cambodia said a clarification by the court was of "the utmost necessity... in order to peacefully and definitely settle the boundary problem between the two countries in the area". AFP
