Cambodia has reported that the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been damaged during ongoing cross-border clashes with Thai troops. Officials claim that part of the temple collapsed following a Thai artillery bombardment. Thailand has not yet commented on the allegations.
The fighting, which began on Friday, has claimed at least five lives and forced thousands of villagers to evacuate. Tensions have been high since Cambodia was granted World Heritage status for the temple in 2008, a move that Thailand opposed.
An international court ruling in 1962 awarded the temple to Cambodia, although its main entrance lies in Thailand and the surrounding area remains disputed. The latest escalation was triggered earlier this month when a Cambodian court sentenced two members of a Thai nationalist movement to up to eight years in prison for espionage, following their arrest for illegal entry into the border area in December.
Sunday's clash reportedly involved mortar, rocket, and artillery fire, beginning at 1835 local time. Despite at least two ceasefires, fighting has continued, with each side accusing the other of breaking the truce. A Cambodian commander stated, 'We are fighting now, they started firing at us first,' while a Thai colonel said, 'Thailand has retaliated. The fighting is still going on. There are no reports of casualties.'
In his weekly television address, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that army and government officials from both countries were working 'to normalise the situation'.
