Armed clashes across the Thai-Cambodia border

A long-simmering dispute between Thailand and Cambodia over land surrounding an ancient Hindu temple has erupted into armed conflict. Cambodia reports two of its troops were killed with four Thai’s wounded. The clashes lasted around 40 minutes and 10 Thai troops have been taken prisoner.

The fighting prompted Bangkok to scramble transport planes to bring its nationals in Cambodia home. Both countries accused each other of firing first. The area around the Hindu Preah Vihear temple has been a bone of contention between the two southeast Asian nations for more than a century.

In 1962 The International Court of Justice awarded the monument to Cambodia, much to Thailand’s dismay. However, the court failed to determine the ownership of 4.6 kilometer sq. piece of scrubland next to the ruin. Tensions have been high since July, when hundreds of soldiers were engaged in a stand-off.

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