(RTTNews) - The situation along the Thai-Cambodia border has returned to normal after a brief exchange of fire between security forces of the two countries near a disputed border temple a day earlier, Thai News Agency quoted Thailand's army chief General Anupong Paochinda as saying on Monday.
Gen. Paochinda said that the tense situation along the border with Cambodia returned to normal after military officers from both countries held a meeting to discuss the incident near the site of Sunday's clashes. He added that the military officers who took part in the talks agreed that the brief exchange of fire was caused by a misunderstanding.
The Thai News Agency report indicated that Col. Thanet Wongchaum, chief of staff of the commander for the Suranaree Task Force, and Col. Thawatchai Changprachak, commander of a special unit from Thailand's Ranger Forces Regiment 23, took part in the talks from the Thai side, while Maj-Ben Srey Doek, commander of Cambodia's 3rd Reinforcement Division, represented his country in the discussions.
Earlier, security forces from the two countries exchanged fire briefly on Sunday along an un-demarcated area close to Thailand's northeastern province of Srisaged near the disputed ancient Preah Vihear border temple.
Currently, the relations between Thailand and Cambodia are strained over a disputed ancient temple on their border. Both countries claim ownership of the temple, which is located inside Cambodian territory. However, the main approach to the temple is from Thailand.
Gen. Paochinda said that the tense situation along the border with Cambodia returned to normal after military officers from both countries held a meeting to discuss the incident near the site of Sunday's clashes. He added that the military officers who took part in the talks agreed that the brief exchange of fire was caused by a misunderstanding.
The Thai News Agency report indicated that Col. Thanet Wongchaum, chief of staff of the commander for the Suranaree Task Force, and Col. Thawatchai Changprachak, commander of a special unit from Thailand's Ranger Forces Regiment 23, took part in the talks from the Thai side, while Maj-Ben Srey Doek, commander of Cambodia's 3rd Reinforcement Division, represented his country in the discussions.
Earlier, security forces from the two countries exchanged fire briefly on Sunday along an un-demarcated area close to Thailand's northeastern province of Srisaged near the disputed ancient Preah Vihear border temple.
Currently, the relations between Thailand and Cambodia are strained over a disputed ancient temple on their border. Both countries claim ownership of the temple, which is located inside Cambodian territory. However, the main approach to the temple is from Thailand.
The Cambodian and Thai troops had clashed briefly near the disputed border temple in July 2008. Since then, the situation along the Thai-Cambodia border have been tense as both countries have increased their troop levels at their respective boarders.
The long-standing dispute over the Preah Vihear border temple began after International Court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, and escalated after UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site recently. The dispute has led to several clashes between the armies of the two countries near the temple.
The ties between the two countries deteriorated further after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appointed former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been convicted of corruption charges in Thailand, as an economic adviser to the country.
Following the diplomatic row over Thaksin's appointment, both countries withdrew their ambassadors, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of political interference.
The long-standing dispute over the Preah Vihear border temple began after International Court awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, and escalated after UNESCO listed it as a World Heritage Site recently. The dispute has led to several clashes between the armies of the two countries near the temple.
The ties between the two countries deteriorated further after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appointed former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been convicted of corruption charges in Thailand, as an economic adviser to the country.
Following the diplomatic row over Thaksin's appointment, both countries withdrew their ambassadors, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of political interference.
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