Thai army chief: Situation on Thai-Cambodian border normal

The Thai-Cambodian border's situation is now back to normal after the brief exchange of gunfire on early Sunday morning, Thailand's army chief General Anupong Paochinda said on Monday.

Everything is now fine after senior military officials from the two countries discussed following the clash, Thai News Agency quoted General Anupong as saying.

The border clash between military patrols of the two countries occurred on an undemarcated area next to Thailand's northeastern province of Srisaged near ancient Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both countries.

After the clash, 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, met with Maj-Ben Srey Doek, commander of Cambodia's 3rd Reinforcement Division at an operation base in Kantharalak district of Srisaged.

It was discovered during an hour of the meeting between the senior officials from the two countries that the clash was caused by misunderstanding.

Both countries have historically laid claim to the temple, which now sits on Cambodian soil following the action of the International Court of Justice which awarded the ancient temple to Cambodia in 1962.

However, the temple can practicably only be accessed from Thailand.

Source: Xinhua

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