Thai, Cambodian troops exchange fire in undemarcated border zone

ISTANBUL

Troops from Thailand and Cambodia early Wednesday engaged in a brief gunfire in their undemarcated border area, with no casualties reported.

The incident, lasting 10 minutes, was reported in the disputed area lying across Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and north-eastern province of Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand.

The two sides, however, gave conflicting statement on who initiated the gunfire.

The area in Cambodia’s Choam Ksan district and Chong Bok border pass in Thailand is undemarcated and the two Southeast Asian neighbors have overlapping claims on the territory.

At round 5.45 a.m. (2245GMT), Thai Army said the Cambodian troops had “moved into the overlapping border area, in violation of the agreement between the two countries, and it (Thai army) decided to send troops to intercept them,” according to Thai Public Broadcasting Service.

“The Cambodian force opened fire at the Thai troops, triggering a firefight which lasted about ten minutes,” said the Thai army.

However, Royal Cambodian Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Mao Phalla said a “brief clash did occur" and the "Thai side initiated the gunfire,” according to daily Phnom Penh Post.

Thailand said the Cambodian army had sought ceasefire.

While the status quo appears to have been restored, the two armies were still in the area.