Thai-Cambodia battle rages over temple

There is a fresh round of hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia-both members of the Association of South-East Nations (ASEAN) - along the border.

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There was artillery firing from both sides.

Thailand has said that there was no need as yet for mediation, that the problem should be resolved through bilateral talks. Cambodian President Hun Manet had said that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had spoken to leaders of the two countries, that Thailand had agreed to end the fighting but went back on its word. Malaysia is the rotating president of the ASEAN at the moment. Meanwhile, Cambodia had gone to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and called Thailand the aggressor.

The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is traced backed to a century. Whatever the differences among themselves, it is quite rare that members of the ASEAN had gone to war with each other. ASEAN has been seen as a close-knit group with its focus on economic cooperation.