Channel NewsAsia/AFP
SINGAPORE: Responding to media queries on the exchange of fire between
troops at the Thai—Cambodia border, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign
Affairs said the republic is very disturbed by the turn of events.
A ministry spokesman said Singapore reiterated its call for both parties
to exercise utmost restraint in the broader interests of the region, and
urged both sides to resolve their differences through further negotiations.
Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire along the border on Wednesday,
killing two Cambodian soldiers, as a dispute over land near an ancient
temple turned deadly.
Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said that two of his country's
soldiers were killed and two others wounded in the clashes, which
erupted sporadically for more than two hours before tapering off.
Lieutenant General Wiboonsak Neeparn, the army commander for
northeastern Thailand, said that five Thai troops were wounded.
Gunfights broke out in the afternoon in a number of small patches of
disputed land just a few kilometres (miles) away from the 11th century
Preah Vihear temple, an UN World Heritage site which is on Cambodian
territory.
Cambodia and Thailand have been sparring over land near the temple since
July, and tensions soared this week after talks on Monday failed and
about 80 Thai troops entered a disputed area, enraging Cambodia.
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