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| Border conflicts between Cambodia and Thailand (REUTERS/ Sukree Sukplang) |
BANGKOK, April 25
RIA Novosti (Russia)
Thailand and Cambodia are amassing armor and heavy artillery along their common border raising fears that a long-running territorial dispute could escalate into a full-scale war, local media reported on Monday.
A fragile cease-fire between the two Southeast Asian states was broken on Friday when the sides exchanged artillery, rocket and rifle fire. By Monday at least 12 soldiers on both sides were reported to have been killed and dozens more wounded.
"A high concentration of troops and weaponry on the border threatens to turn the conflict into a large-scale war," the Bangkok Post said.
Thai television reported on Monday tanks and armored personnel carriers with troops facing each other on opposite sides of the border in full combat readiness.
Despite UN efforts to find a diplomatic solution for the flare-up, the prospects of a new cease-fire appear to be shaky as the Thai government refuses to accept foreign mediation.
Border conflicts between the two states over the ownership of several 11th century temples that began a century ago resumed in 2010-2011. The two neighbors fought a four-day war near one of the temples in February, and a ceasefire has been in place since March.
The border between Thailand and Cambodia has never been demarcated in detail.
