Translated material
Shootings on the controversial section of the Thai and Cambodia border continue - despite the declared truce
At the disputed section of the border of Thailand and Cambodia, a shootout continues, despite the truce announced on April 24. On Monday, Cambodia, who does not recognize the areas of the territory that Thailand claims to be controversial, and considers them their own, called on the neighbors to “terminate the acts of aggression” in relation to their territory and observe the a truce in the continued conflict on the border.
This, according to ITAR-TASS, said in the published statement of the Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia.
The statement states that "despite the continuing aggression of Thailand, the royal armed forces of Cambodia show restraint in accordance with the conditions of the truce." At the same time, if “Thai's aggression does not stop in the near future, Cambodia reserves the right to response to protect his sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the country's Ministry of National Defense indicated. On April 28, the commanders of the border military districts of Thailand and Cambodia agreed to the ceasefire in the area of the disputed site at the border. During the last clashes, both sides lost at least 15 military personnel killed, according to the death of one civilian resident. More than 70 military personnel were injured. About 100 thousand inhabitants were evacuated from the border areas on both sides.
Earlier, the Cambodia authorities accused Thailand of using chemical weapons during clashes on the border.
The border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia worsened after the ancient temple of Prea Vicher (PRIA VIHAN) located in the disputed territory was included in the UNESCO world heritage list.
The temple, built in the era of the Khmer Empire of Angkor in the XI century, is located on the disputed section of the border territory. By the decision of the International Court, he was transferred to Cambodia, while the land of the land surrounding him remained, from the point of view of Thailand, controversial. The border between the two kingdoms has never been detailed in detail, reminds RIA Novosti .
Since 2008, the border dispute has passed into an armed conflict six times. The UN Security Council at the end of February discussed the issue of the conflict of Thailand and Cambodia and called on both parties to resolve it in a kind of negotiations, through the mediation of Indonesia-the country, presiding this year in the Association of the Southeast Asian states (ASEAN).
Collisions, however, occur away from traditional tourist routes. Most tourists visiting the ancient temple and architectural complex of Angkor Wat in the Cambodian province of Semeriap are freely entered through the territory of Thailand.