.- The clashes between Thai troops and Cambodia, which have caused eleven dead, continue today at the border despite the ceasefire call by the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-moon. Thai army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said that for the third consecutive day the soldiers of the two countries exchanged rifle fire and artillery fire in the same area in previous days.
This was confirmed by the second in command of troops from Cambodia deployed in the area, general Suos Sothea, who on the phone told Efe that "Thai troops have begun firing, first with guns and then with his artillery." These clashes were raging in the vicinity of the temple of Ta Kwai (Buffalo Eyes) was built during the splendor of the Khmer Empire in the twelfth century, and situated on the border strip that defines the Thai province of Surin in northeastern the country with the northern region of Cambodia.
The temple of Ta Kwai in the border area, is part of the ancient architectural complex of Ta Muen, another legacy of the ancient Khmer civilization whose sovereignty is disputed by Thailand and Cambodia. Since last Friday, at least five Thai soldiers and six Cambodians have died, while about thirty soldiers of the two countries have been injured.
These clashes have occurred after those held in February near the ruins of Preah Vihear temple, a hundred miles to the west and located next to an area of 4.6 kilometers long claimed countries. In a statement issued Saturday, the UN secretary general, said the border dispute can not be solved by military means and urged both sides to undertake a "serious dialogue." Also, the UN secretary general urged the government of Thailand and Cambodia to take immediate steps to conclude a cease-fire effective and verifiable.
" According to official sources, Thailand has evacuated nearly 25,000 residents of villages located in the area of conflict, while in Cambodia and across the border the number of displaced people stands at about 10,000, as noted by the Committee National Disaster Management. Following renewed fighting, Prime Minister of Thailand, Abhisit Vejjajiva, said in a televised speech that his government "is ready to provide full support for our military to defend the national territory." "We must not fall into the trap.
Cambodia tries to bring the dispute to the international level, but should be resolved bilaterally and not through a third country," said the head of government. The tension on the border reappears when the Thai government provides to dissolve Parliament in May to hold elections by mid of this year, and recent moves taken by the army fed speculation about saber rattling.
In early February, eight people died, including civilians, and dozens wounded in the fighting for four days. Last March, the governments of Cambodia and Thailand agreed to negotiate with the mediation of Indonesia the territorial dispute opposing them for the sovereignty of a small area next to Preah Vihear temple, also in the common border.
However, after Thailand changed his mind and refused to negotiate a solution with Cambodia on the grounds that the Indonesian observers in the disputed area could complicate the situation. 
This was confirmed by the second in command of troops from Cambodia deployed in the area, general Suos Sothea, who on the phone told Efe that "Thai troops have begun firing, first with guns and then with his artillery." These clashes were raging in the vicinity of the temple of Ta Kwai (Buffalo Eyes) was built during the splendor of the Khmer Empire in the twelfth century, and situated on the border strip that defines the Thai province of Surin in northeastern the country with the northern region of Cambodia.
The temple of Ta Kwai in the border area, is part of the ancient architectural complex of Ta Muen, another legacy of the ancient Khmer civilization whose sovereignty is disputed by Thailand and Cambodia. Since last Friday, at least five Thai soldiers and six Cambodians have died, while about thirty soldiers of the two countries have been injured.
These clashes have occurred after those held in February near the ruins of Preah Vihear temple, a hundred miles to the west and located next to an area of 4.6 kilometers long claimed countries. In a statement issued Saturday, the UN secretary general, said the border dispute can not be solved by military means and urged both sides to undertake a "serious dialogue." Also, the UN secretary general urged the government of Thailand and Cambodia to take immediate steps to conclude a cease-fire effective and verifiable.
" According to official sources, Thailand has evacuated nearly 25,000 residents of villages located in the area of conflict, while in Cambodia and across the border the number of displaced people stands at about 10,000, as noted by the Committee National Disaster Management. Following renewed fighting, Prime Minister of Thailand, Abhisit Vejjajiva, said in a televised speech that his government "is ready to provide full support for our military to defend the national territory." "We must not fall into the trap.
Cambodia tries to bring the dispute to the international level, but should be resolved bilaterally and not through a third country," said the head of government. The tension on the border reappears when the Thai government provides to dissolve Parliament in May to hold elections by mid of this year, and recent moves taken by the army fed speculation about saber rattling.
In early February, eight people died, including civilians, and dozens wounded in the fighting for four days. Last March, the governments of Cambodia and Thailand agreed to negotiate with the mediation of Indonesia the territorial dispute opposing them for the sovereignty of a small area next to Preah Vihear temple, also in the common border.
However, after Thailand changed his mind and refused to negotiate a solution with Cambodia on the grounds that the Indonesian observers in the disputed area could complicate the situation.
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