Cambodian, Thai troops exchange gunfire in border area

PHNOM PENH, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Thai troops exchanged fires at two separate temples at border area, located about 200 kilometers west of disputed temple of Preah Vihear, military sources said on Friday.

The sources said the clash occurred at around 6:00 am on Friday at Ta Moan and Ta Krabey Temples.

Neak Vong, deputy commander of brigade 42 at Ta Mon Thom temple, said that all kinds of weaponry have been used.

"Now the exchange fire between Cambodia and Thai troops is continue," he told Xinhua by telephone as the sound of weapon explosions on the background.

The two temples are located in Oddar Meanchey province, located about 200 kilometers west of disputed temple of Preah Vihear .

"All types of heavy weapons including rockets, machine guns and mortars, artillery have also been used in the exchange fire," he said.

Lieutenant General Chhum Socheat, the spokesman for Cambodian Defense Ministry, confirmed the fighting.

"The armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops have been happening at Ta Mon temple and Ta Krabek temple, starting at 5:55 a.m. and so far 7:50 a.m. still continues," he said

Phay Siphan, a spokesman of Cambodia's Office of the Council of Ministers, also confirmed the fighting and said that "The Thai military's move is against the principle of the U.N. Security Council who called for a permanent ceasefire."

He said "The Thai troops marched directly towards Cambodian troop positions stationed at Cambodia's Ta Krabei temple and launched unprovoked attacks."

The military clash reoccured just more than two months after the deadly clash on Feb. 4-7 at the border disputed area next to Preah Vihear temple, the World Heritage Site.

While the fighting is still going on, the sources declined to comment on the motive of the clash.

The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been completely demarcated and the issue of Preah Vihear temple has been an age-old dispute.

Cambodia's Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. Just a week after the enlistment, Cambodia and Thailand have had border conflict due to Thai claim of the ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple, triggering a military build-up along the border, and periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.