Thai foreign ministry dismisses reports that Thai military personnel entered Cambodia

BANGKOK, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Foreign Ministry late Tuesday issued a statement, denying reports that some Thai military personnel went into Cambodian territory in the vicinity of the Temple of Preah Vihear which stands in a disputed area nearThai-Cambodia border.

Tharit Charungvat, the ministry's spokesman, said in the statement that Thailand would like to dismiss rumors that Thai military personnel entered into Cambodian territory.

"It is true that we introduce a few para-military personnel into the border area within Thai territory today (Tuesday). But this is only to ensure that the current protest by a group of Thai people in the area, about their beliefs on territorial claims, be done in an orderly manner," Tharit responded in the statement.

"The Royal Thai Army in the region has already coordinated closely with their Cambodian counterpart to prevent any misunderstanding," he said.

Earlier Tuesday, three Thai protesters were arrested by the Cambodian authorities as they were claimed illegally crossed the border into the Preah Vihear Temple. After the arrest, tensions rose as some reports said dozens of Thai armed personnel have entered into the Preah Vihear Temple.

Cambodian authorities earlier said the trio would be prosecuted for illegal entry. However, they were released by the Cambodian authorities hours after the arrest.

The border has been tense since Cambodia's successful registration of Preah Vihear Temple, which straddles the Thai-Cambodian border atop the Dangrek Mountain, as a World Heritage site this month.

Thailand's Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama resigned Thursday after the Constitutional Court ruled that he had overstepped his authority in supporting Cambodia's application to have the temple classified as a World Heritage Site.

Cambodia started seeking the status of World Heritage Site for the temple in 2001, hoping for influx of tourists and international funding that normally accompanies the designation.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded the 11-century classic Khmer-style temple and the land it occupies to Cambodia, a decision therefore rankling Thais.