The Preah Vihear temple was listed as a World H
The chief of Cambodia's
military forces on the Thailand border has called an emergency meeting
after Thai aircraft were seen flying low around disputed land near the
Preah Vihear temple.
A helicopter and small spotter plane were seen early on Saturday.
Tension on the border is high ahead of a verdict due on
Monday by the UN's highest court on where the border lies around the
ancient temple.
Fighting in the area in 2011 left 18 people dead and thousands displaced.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says Cambodian troops have
dug trenches and bunkers near the temple and similar fortifications are
visible on the Thai side.
However, Cambodian regional commander General Srey Deuk told
the BBC on Saturday he expected no problems with the Thai military after
Monday's verdict.
He said no troop reinforcements had been brought up to the temple.
A 1962 verdict by the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
declared the temple to be Cambodian but did not rule on the area around
it.
Cambodia sought a clarification of the ruling in 2011 after fighting broke out.
Both countries have agreed to abide by the ICJ ruling but
fears remain that nationalist groups may stir up violence in border
villages.
Thai nationalist group the Thai Patriotic Network has already
said it will reject any judgement from the ICJ, The Nation newspaper
reported.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered troops along the border to stay calm.
"I'd like to appeal to all armed forces who are on duty to
defend the border to keep calm, exercise utmost restraint and avoid any
activities that could lead to tension or clashes," he said in a
televised broadcast on Thursday.
He said he and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had
agreed that their two countries "have to comply with this decision and
try to maintain peace and stability along the border at any cost".
eritage site in 2008
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