Tuesday, 15 February 2011

Thai army reports minor border clash with Cambodia

via CAAI

BANGKOK | Tue Feb 15, 2011

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai and Cambodian troops clashed before dawn on Tuesday at a disputed stretch of border, a Thai army spokesman said, but a senior Cambodian military official denied the report.

"It was a minor clash at the frontline with pistols, wounding one soldier on the Thai side," said Thai army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, adding that the soldier was wounded by a grenade.

The Cambodian government, however, said it was unaware of any clash between the two countries. A senior Cambodian army commander said there had been no fighting.

A spokesman at a Thai hospital in the border area said the wounded soldier appeared to have stepped on a landmine.

Thailand and Cambodia blame each other for clashes this month near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple that killed at least three Thais and eight Cambodians. The temple is located on a disputed piece of land between the two countries.

The U.N. Security Council on Monday called for a permanent ceasefire and voiced concern about recent violence, urging both sides to show "maximum restraint".

(Reporting by Ambika Ahuja; Editing by Jason Szep)

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