Thai-Camboja Soldiers Shoot Each Other At The Border

JAKARTA - Thai and Cambodian soldiers were involved in a shootout in the border area that had not been officially designated, without any reports of casualties.

The 10-minute shooting incident was reported to have occurred in a disputed area located in the Provinces of Preah Vihear, Cambodia, and Ubon Province Ratchathani in northeastern Thailand.

However, both sides gave conflicting statements about who started the shootout.

The areas in Choam Ksan District, Cambodia, and the Chong Bok border post, Thailand, are areas that do not yet have official limits, and the two neighboring countries in Southeast Asia claim each other.

At around 05.45 WIB, the Thai military stated that Cambodian troops had 'entered the overlapping border area and violated the agreement between the two countries.

The Thai military then decided to send troops to intercept them, said the Thai Public Broadcasting Service report.

Cambodian troops opened fire at Thai troops, prompting a shootout that lasted about ten minutes, Thailand's military said.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Royal Army Spokesman Major General Mao Phalla said a "short clash did indeed occur" and the Thai side started the shot," the Phnom Penh Post daily said.

Thailand said the Cambodian military later asked for a ceasefire.

Although the situation has returned to stability, the two troops are still at the scene.