Thai-Khmer border skirmish breaks out

Border skirmish between Thai and Cambodian troops broke out Friday at the disputed area in Si Sa Ket province near the Hindu temple of Preah Vihear, local residents said.

The clash between two sides took place at Phu Ma Khua hill at 3.15pm and sounds of gun fire were heard at Si Sa Ket province's Ban Phum Srol some five kilometres from the hill, they said.

A Cambodian solider meanwhile confirmed the fighting.

A local residents told the Nation in a telephone interview, "sounds of many weapons, including small and heavy weapons such as rockets were heard from the area," he said. "The fighting is still going on."

Authorities ordered local residents to take shelters immediately for their safety.

Bounruam Phongpan, director of Phum Srol school, evacuated children to a safe place.

Thailand and Cambodia are at loggerhead over the border area adjacent to the Prearh Vihear for long time. Both sides have boosted troops to the disputed areas days ago after nationalist group People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) staged a protest near the Prime Minister Office demanding the government to use forces to kick Cambodians out of the area.