PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (AFP) — Cambodian Premier Hun Sen urged Thailand Thursday to withdraw its troops, warning a "worsening" border row was damaging relations between the two neighbours.
Hun Sen wrote to Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej asking him to "ease the tensions and order the Thais to withdraw from the area," as more than 400 Thai troops stood on the border.
"The situation has worsened due to the continuing increase of the number of Thai military inside and around the area," he wrote in the letter, given to reporters.
"The deteriorating situation is very bad for the relations between our countries."
More than 400 Thai troops and more than 800 Cambodian soldiers remain assembled around a small Buddhist pagoda on the slope of a mountain leading to the ruins of an ancient temple at the centre of the dispute.
Cambodia accuses Thailand of sending troops across the border after three protesters illegally broke across on Tuesday vowing to reclaim the Preah Vihear temple , which they say rightly belongs to them.
However Thailand continues to deny the trespass, insisting the soldiers remain on their own soil.
The two prime ministers spoke on Wednesday and agreed to hold talks next week to resolve the standoff, Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith told AFP.
Cambodia said it would send its defence minister to Monday's talks, while Samak has yet to confirm whether he will attend or send his army chief.
He told reporters Thursday he blames the situation on the three Thai protesters.
"Those crazy three people who crossed the border sparked the problem. They nearly achieved their aim by causing the military on each side to face one another," Samak said.
The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in both countries after the UN cultural agency UNESCO awarded the temple World Heritage status earlier this month.
Asked by reporters in the pagoda compound when his troops would leave, Thai commander Wern Champasa said: "We wait for the top to solve the problem."
On Thursday, Cambodian soldiers laid razor wire across possible paths into Cambodia to prevent more Thais from sneaking across the border.
Thai troops meanwhile defused landmines in the pagoda compound after one of their soldiers was injured by a landmine Tuesday.
Groups of Cambodian soldiers based at the foot of the mountain were redeployed to the temple itself, armed with AK-47 rifles and rocket launchers.
Military officials said 70 percent of local villagers had fled their homes, fearful of violence erupting.
But those who remained were defiant.
"I am not afraid to make war with the Thais. Even if death is one step ahead, I won't leave here," said Seoung Pisith, 27.
"The Thais want our land without feeling ashamed. The Thais must start educating their people not to want other's land," said Seng Kim Yeah, 29.
Around 1,000 Thai protesters expected to demonstrate near the closed border gate next to the temple were stopped by Thai authorities and local Thai people, Cambodian military officials said.
Although the atmosphere was peaceful, Cambodians said they were ready to fight if fired upon.
"If any order comes from the top, I can launch my rocket immediately. I am protecting my territory and temples," said soldier Lorm Trouk.
Brigadier Chea Keo acknowledged that the better-equipped Thai army has superior weapons but said that Cambodians were in a better position at the top of the mountain.
The World Court in 1962 determined the Preah Vihear ruins belong to Cambodia, even though the most accessible entrance lies in Thailand.
The standoff is of great national importance to both countries.
Cambodia is preparing for general elections on July 27, while Thailand remains in the grip of anti-government protests, with its cabinet threatened by impeachment proceedings.
Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More »
