Thailand, Cambodia spar over border troop positions
October 14, 2008 PHNOM PENH (AFP) - Thailand and Cambodia showed no signs Tuesday of resolving their long-simmering spat over a disputed border area near an ancient temple, with Bangkok insisting its troops would remain in place.
Thailand’s statements came after an ultimatum from Cambodia to withdraw from the territory near the Preah Vihear temple, a UN World Heritage site, or run the risk of “large-scale armed conflict”.
Early Tuesday, Cambodian officials said the Thai troops had left their positions near the centuries-old Khmer site, but Thai officials told reporters they had not budged " and would not any time soon.
“All 80 troops will remain in the disputed area because Thailand has overseen that area for 20 to 30 years,” Foreign Minister Sompong Amornviwat said, a day after returning from talks in Phnom Penh with his opposite.
“Of those 80 troops, 20 of them are mine clearance workers and the rest offer protection for the mine clearance troops. Thailand insists it has not encroached in any territory.”
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