Cambodia, Thailand in talks on temple stand-off

Updated July 21, 2008 20:43:35

Thailand and Cambodia are due to hold talks today over the Preah Vihear temple dispute. [Reuters]

Thailand and Cambodia have begun high-level talks aimed at resolving a military stand-off over a disputed temple on their joint border.

Defence officials met in a border town about 350 kilometres from the 11th century temple that has been the focus of a decade-long dispute between the two neighbours.

Hundreds of Thai and Cambodian troops have faced each other at the Preah Vihear temple since last Tuesday, backed up by several thousand more troops and heavy artillery on both sides.

A Cambodian government spokesman says he does not expect a swift end to the stand-off, but believes the talks will ease some of the tension.

The temple has provoked political turmoil in Thailand after Prime Minister Samak's government agreed last month to support Cambodia's bid to win World Heritage status for the ruins.

The World Court ruled in 1962 that it belongs to Cambodia, but its most accessible entrance lies in Thailand and the exact border is in dispute.

A Thai court invalidated the prime minister's agreement, and foreign minister Noppadon Pattama was forced to resign in the ensuing scandal. The parliamentary opposition is mulling impeachment motions against the entire cabinet.

Despite the controversy, earlier this month the UN's cultural agency UNESCO awarded the temple World Heritage status in recognition of its importance as an example of ancient Khmer architecture.