Thailand and Cambodia exchanged gunfire

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged gunfire at their disputed frontier Friday in a new flareup of their long-running conflict, and the Thai army said one of its soldiers was killed and five were injured.

It was the first skirmish reported since the two Southeast Asian countries exchanged artillery and gunfire for four straight days in February at the 11th century Preah Vihear temple, killing at least eight people.

Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Chhum Socheat confirmed the latest clash and said it took place about 155 miles (250 kilometers) west of Preah Vihear.

Chhum said the fighting took place at another temple in Ta Krabey that is also claimed by both nations. He said both sides had used rocket launchers, machine guns and rifles.

Thai Army Spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd told The Associated Press the latest skirmishes erupted after dawn and continued for at least half an hour. Another spokesperson, Lt. Col. Siriya Khuangsirikul, said one Thai soldier had been killed and artillery had been used.

Siriya said both sides "are in the middle of negotiating for a cease-fire."

Serm Chainarong, the governor of Thailand's Surin province where the fighting happened, said authorities there were preparing to evacuate about 5,000 people.


It was unclear what sparked the latest fighting.

The conflict is rooted in a decades-old border dispute over ancient temples and the land surrounding them, which has fueled nationalist passions on both sides.

Tensions between the neighbors have been exacerbated in recent months in part by pressure from powerful Thai nationalist groups, which have staged protests in Bangkok urging the government to reclaim the land.

Clashes have erupted several times since 2008, when Preah Vihear was given UN World Heritage status.

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