Thai PM to refer Thai-Cambodian border dispute to Asean Summit

Speaking in his weekly TV talk, Abhisit said tensions at the disputed border had existed for some years, but had become more worrisome since July last year, after Unesco granted world heritage status to the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

The latest incident broke out last Friday when soldiers of the two countries clashed twice near the ancient temple. Two Thai soldiers and two Cambodian soldiers died in the fighting while nine Thai soldiers were wounded.

Abhisit also expressed his condolences to families of Thai soldiers who were killed and wounded in the fighting.

Abhisit said he had earlier discussed with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen that the border dispute should be settled by the Thai-Cambodian joint border committee (JBC).

The border committee will meet in Phnom Penh on Monday and Tuesday. The meeting was planned before last week's clashes took place.

The prime minister said both Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Defence Minister Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan have been in sustained contact with the concerned Cambodian authorities to settle the "misunderstanding" and he said he expects that the problem has now eased.