Cambodia Denies Any Armed Clash With Thailand on Monday Night

Phnom Penh 15 February 2011 -- Xinhua

Cambodia denied Tuesday that there was any armed clash between Cambodian and Thai troops over the border disputed area near the 11th century temple on Monday.

"There was no any clash between the troops of both sides last night (Monday's night)," brigadier general Thul Sovan, deputy commander of Cambodian Military Division 3, stationed at the frontline near Preah Vihear temple, told Xinhua by telephone on Tuesday.

Lt-Gen Tawatchai Samutsakhon, commander of Thailand's 2nd Army, said Tuesday that the Cambodian troops launched an attack on their base in Phu Ma Khua area near the disputed area on Monday night, injuring five Thai soldiers, one seriously.

"We don't know what intention Thai troops has on us because every night, they throw more than ten bombs near the border," he said.

"They may want to ignite us to fight them back, but we keep our most restraint, not to fight back."

"They always accused us of throwing bombs at them, but it's untrue, we do nothing," he said. "Our bombs have clearly recorded in stock, we cannot waste to throw useless."

Cambodia and Thailand have had border conflicts after Cambodia' s Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008.

The conflict is 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.

The latest clashes on Feb. 4-7, unleashed a barrage of artillery shells on both sides of the border, had killed at least 10 people and injured 53 people of both sides, said the latest reports. Tens of thousands of the two countries' villagers nearby the disputed areas fled for safe shelters.

The United Nations Security Council on Monday urged Cambodia and Thailand to display maximum restraint and to establish a permanent cease-fire. It also expressed support for the active efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in this matter and encouraged the parties to continue to cooperate with the organization.