Calm morning on border after Thai and Cambodian military clash

BANGKOK, Oct 16 (TNA) - Villagers in the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket bordering Cambodia returned to normal life Thursday morning after skirmishes between Thai and Khmer soldiers near the ancient Khmer Preah Vihear temple on Wednesday that left two Cambodians dead and five Thai soldiers wounded.

Kantararak district of Si Sa Ket province was close to the disputed temple which was the major area under dispute and was also near the scene of fighting between the two countries' soldiers.

Residents of seven villages that were in the evacuation plan to avoid the impact of the fighting were living as normal as the evacuation will not begin unless heavy weapons are used in the fighting.

During the night, there was no reinforcement from the Thai military after the fighting stopped at around 7 pm Wednesday night.

Talks were scheduled to take place between the two sides at 11 am Thursday at Preah Vihear temple to ease tensions and find to ways to resolve the military confrontation.

The Thai team will be led by Second Region Army Commander Lt-Gen. Viboonsak Neepal.

In Bangkok, 20 police reinforcements guarded the Cambodian embassy since Wednesday night to ensure the safety of the premise.

Pol. Maj-Gen Wimon Pao-in, chief of Bangkok Police Subdivision 4, ordered patrol police and the police guard stationed at the embassy to especially observe motorcycles as he feared that young people with motorcycle may cause disturbances and unrest to show their anger over the clash.

(TNA)