Thailand & Cambodia in Fourth Day of Cross-Border Fighting

The Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs is trying to call a halt to gunfire and shelling near the border with Cambodia. On Monday villagers ran for cover to their prepared bunker, it's the fourth day of artillery exchange across the border between Thailand and Cambodia.

Two disputed 12th century Hindu temples are at the core of the conflict.

The two sides battled for more than three hours from late Sunday morning and pounded each other with mortars and artillery, sending hundreds of villagers fleeing or into hiding in makeshift bomb shelters.

Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs visited an evacuation shelter about 19 miles from the scene of recent fighting.

Kasit Piromya, Thai Foreign Affairs Minister]:
“I appeal to Prime Minister Hun Sen and the government of Cambodia to care about the interests of both countries and civilians of both sides and also to maintain stability and development of ASEAN community.”

Thailand has resisted international observers so far.

[Kasit Piromya, Thai Foreign Affairs Minister]:
“It's not something we are opposed to. This is a sensitive issue… The urgent priority at the moment is that we need the Cambodia's army commander who is on another side to resume communication with our army's eastern commander.”

Thailand says the ancient temple ruins are in its Surin Province but Cambodia insists they fall in its territory.

Thai officials say at least 30-thousand civilians from border villages were evacuated while Cambodian officials say about 17-thousand villagers fled the area.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged the two sides talk to arrange a ceasefire.