Two Cambodian soldiers killed by Thai army

The 900-year-old Prear Vihear temple has been a source of tension between Thailand and Cambodia for more than a century. In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia but failed to rule on 4.6 square kilometres surrounding the ruins.

Then, this summer when UNESCO approved Cambodia’s request to have the temple declared a world heritage site, tension increased in the area, and for weeks hundreds of troops from both countries faced each other across the border. They were recalled in an effort to reach a peaceful solution to the problem. So far, no such solution has been reached.

As a recent addition to the tension, fighting between Thai and Cambodian troops along this disputed stretch has left two Cambodian soldiers dead. Cambodia says it has taken ten Thai soldiers prisoner, but Thailand denies this. Thailand has since placed its air force on high alert and called on Thai citizens in Cambodia to leave the country. Both sides deny starting the fighting, which lasted only a few hours.

Thai and Cambodian generals have scheduled a meeting Thursday to discuss a dispute about land on the border that cost two Cambodian soldiers their lives Wednesday.

The foreign ministers from the countries were already talking, Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said. “Cambodia is a good neighbour. We will use peaceful means. If there is violence, we have to negotiate,” he said Wednesday.