Monday, 21 September 2009

CAAI News Media: Disputed area is scene of violent clash

SI SA KET, Thailand, Sept. 20 (UPI) --
Marshal law has been declared in Si Sa Ket following a clash between villagers and supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy, Thai officials said.

The village is in a disputed area on the Thailand/Cambodia border, The Bangkok Post reported.

PAD supporters marched Saturday to assert Thai sovereignty over disputed territory near the Preah Vihear temple. They were protesting a Cambodian plan to build new houses on a 1137-acre area.

The two countries both claimed the temple until the World Court awarded it to Cambodia in 1962.

Villagers and riot police confronted the PAD protesters, trying to keep them out of the disputed area. Scores of people on both sides were injured before the PAD broke through the opposition and arrived in the disputed area.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejiajiva allowed 76 PAD representatives to read a prepared statement Sunday near the disputed area. He said it would help restore peace and added anyone breaking the law at the gathering would be punished.

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