Saturday, April 30, 2011

Thai-Cambodia Ceasefire Fails to Hold


2011-04-29
NTD TV

Armed volunteers patrol a Thai village close to the border with Cambodia.

After a week of fighting that's claimed at least 16 lives, they're taking no chances.

The two sides agreed a ceasefire on Thursday.

Before the next day was out, one Thai soldier was killed and four others wounded in further fighting.

[Saran Samerpark, Head of Baan Noan Bang Kud Village]:
"It was about 11pm last night. It was raining. We heard the gunshots at the same time as thunder. Yes, there was fighting going on from time to time. We were a bit surprised as there was supposed to be a ceasefire but fighting was still going on."

Cambodia's defense ministry said the two sides had agreed to leave their long-festering territorial disputes to a joint demarcation commission.

It said they'd also agreed to re-open border checkpoints near two disputed ancient Hindu temples at the heart of the fighting.

But villagers forced to flee their homes because of the conflict are none the wiser about when they will be safe to return.

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