'Temple war' breaks out again on Thai border

Thai and Cambodian troops clashed with guns and artillery yesterday after almost a full day's break in fighting that has killed at least 12 people in four days and sent nearly 50,000 into evacuation centres.

Gunfire and explosions were heard near two disputed 12th-century Hindu temples, the scene of sporadic mortar and artillery bombardments since Friday in the bloodiest border conflict between the neighbours in nearly two decades.

The fresh fighting erupted before sundown yesterday. Witnesses said the clashes were more fierce than the previous days, with the sound of mortars heard as far as 25 miles away.

Thailand's foreign minister, Kasit Piromya, reiterated calls for a bilateral solution after the cancellation of a visit to both countries by a senior south-east Asian envoy who had brokered a UN-backed peace ceasefire deal on 22 February.

But soon after the fighting resumed, Mr Kasit accused Cambodia of being the aggressor in the conflict and said it was limiting scope for talks.

"It's clear Cambodia was pushing into the (disputed] area and it's now beyond talks as friendly neighbours," he said in Bangkok on his return from a visit to an evacuee camp near the border.

At the centre of the dispute are the Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples in a heavily mined jungle area claimed by both sides. Thailand says the ruins are in its Surin province, but Cambodia insists they fall in its territory.

Fighting has been heaviest around Ta Moan, a complex that contains three buildings nestled into a mountain pass. Both sides are also positioned around Ta Krabey, where fighting first erupted.

The official toll since Friday is five Thai soldiers and seven Cambodians killed.