Khao Phra Viharn national park closes after Sunday clash

SI SA KET, Jan 26 (TNA) – Thailand’s Khao Phra Viharn national park closed on Tuesday after a Sunday clash between Thai army rangers and Cambodian troops in an area disputed by both countries.

The army rangers are stationed at the national park entrance and the public is not allowed to enter for safety reasons. Thai authorities are monitoring Cambodian radio and television news to report to their superiors.

Thai Army Rangers clashed early Sunday with a unit of Cambodian soldiers near the disputed 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple. No casualties were reported.

Lt-Col. Nut Sri-in, commander of Suranaree Task Force Unit 163, said the fighting took place while a group of Thai rangers were patrolling and confronted Cambodian soldiers and some civilians who were felling trees in Thailand’s Kantharalak district bordering Cambodia.

The troops exchanged gunfire for over 20 minutes before the Cambodian soldiers withdrew into Cambodia, he said.

After negotiations later in the day, Thai and Cambodian army officers said that the fighting early Sunday was due to misunderstanding and they agreed to jointly find a solution to ease the tensions. (TNA)