S'PORE URGE THAILAND AND CAMBODIA TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT OVER BORDER DISPUTE

SINGAPORE, Oct 16 (Bernama) - Singapore Wednesday urged Thailand and
Cambodia to exercise utmost restraint over a land dispute along their borders that had escalated into a deadly clash between troops from both countries.

It was reported that Thailand and Cambodian troops exchanged fire along the
border near the ancient Preah Vihear Temple, in Si Sa Ket Province, an UN World
Heritage site which is on Cambodian territory, resulting in the death of two
Cambodian soldiers and injury to soldiers from both sides.

The Singapore Foreign Ministry in a statement Wednesday said it was
disturbed by the turn of events and reiterated its call for both parties to
exercise utmost restraint in the broader interests of the region.

Thailand and Cambodia are part of the 10-member Association of
Southeast Nations (Asean).

"We urge both sides to resolve their differences through further
negotiations," said the ministry in the statement.

Foreign news reports quoted Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong as
saying that two of his country's soldiers were killed and two others wounded in
the clashes that lasted for more than two hours.

According to wire reports, Thai army commander for northeastern Thailand,
Lt
Gen Wiboonsak Neeparn had said that five Thai troops were wounded.

Cambodia and Thailand are in a dispute over land near the temple since
July, and tensions escalated this week after talks on Monday failed and about
80 Thai troops entered a disputed area, enraging Cambodia.

--BERNAMA