DEADLY CLASHES between Thai and Cambodian troops continued for a fourth day yesterday at a disputed ancient border temple, with reports that the 900-year-old Preah Vihear site had been damaged in shelling.
Thailand and Cambodia blame each other for sparking the artillery and machinegun fire in the 4.6sq km area that have killed at least two Thais and three Cambodians since Friday.
The conflict comes amid ongoing political uncertainty in Bangkok, and prompted Yellow Shirt protesters to demand that Thailand’s government step down.
Cambodian officials say a Thai artillery barrage on Sunday had taken out part of the temple, a UN World Heritage site, but Thai officials accuse them of making propaganda.
Tempers began to fray after Cambodia flew a national flag in the disputed area and laid a stone tablet inscribed with “This is Cambodia”.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned that the fighting threatens regional stability. He said the latest clash was sparked after Thai soldiers crossed the border in search of a fallen comrade, and Cambodians opened fire to repel them.
“We need the United Nations to send forces here and create a buffer zone to guarantee that there is no more fighting,” Hun Sen said, adding that the situation kept deteriorating and the two sides were no longer listening to each other.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said it was Cambodia which started the fighting, and wrote to the Security Council accusing Cambodia of opening fire at a Thai military post at Phat Ma Khua village on Friday, and again in the same area on Sunday.
“Thai soldiers had no choice but to exercise the inherent right of self defence,” Mr Abhisit said.
There are a number of theories about what is behind the clashes. Some analysts believe that dark forces in the military are trying to topple Mr Abhisit’s government ahead of a general election that is expected to take place this year.
National police chiefs are keen to impose the Internal Security Act this week to give the military powers to prevent protesters from occupying government buildings in Bangkok in a planned protest on Friday. Last year, Red Shirt supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra occupied the city centre for months until a crackdown.
Tensions between the neighbours have been high for many years. In the months leading up to last year’s political unrest in Thailand, Mr Thaksin flew to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh to take up a job as special economic adviser to the government.
