Plea to UN over border clashes

Thai and Cambodian troops clashed for a fourth day yesterday over a disputed border area around a 900-year-old mountaintop temple, deepening political uncertainty in Bangkok and prompting Cambodia to call for the United Nations to intervene.

Several hours of shelling and machine-gun fire subsided at 11am, creating an uneasy peace in the contested area of two square miles at the Preah Vihear Temple, claimed by both countries.

Cambodia's government said the fighting had killed five people and wounded 45 others on its side of the border yesterday. It did not say whether the casualties were troops or civilians.

Each side blames the other for clashes that have killed two Thais and eight Cambodians since Friday. The fighting has energised protesters in Bangkok demanding the resignation of Thailand's government.