Cambodian villagers flee in fear of Thai border standoff

[Tony]

Updated Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:40am AEST


   

Cambodian military officials say villagers living close to the Thai-Cambodian border where a military standoff has entered its third day have fled their homes in droves.

With 400 Thai and 800 Cambodian troops at their door, some 70 percent have left for safety.

The soldiers are stationed around a small Buddhist pagoda on the slope of the mountain leading to the ruins of the Preah Vihear temple.

The stand off began when three Thai protesters illegally crossed the border on Tuesday.

They vowed to reclaim the ancient temple which the World Court ruled as belonging to Cambodia in 1962.

The territorial dispute now centres on a 4.6-square-kilometre border area that is also home to a small Cambodian village.

The Thais are angry Cambodia allowed villagers to build in a disputed area.

Officials from both nations have agreed to talks in Thailand on Monday.
ABC Radio Australia.