Cambodia’s top military commander said Friday tensions had eased on the border near Preah Vihear temple, but soldiers on the front line worried of more fighting in the wake of three skirmishes this week.
Commanders in the field met for a second round of talks Friday, after gun battles at three sites near Preah Vihear temple left at least three Cambodians dead Wednesday.
The situation on the border was “normal” following the violence, but Cambodian soldiers were remaining vigilant, Gen. Ke Kim Yan, commander-in-chief of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, told reporters after meeting his Thai counterpart.
Ke Kim Yan also said the sides had not agreed to joint patrols, despite reported statements by the Thai side to the contrary.
Neither side has been able to agree on border demarcations, making joint patrols impossible, he said.
Meanwhile, soldiers on the front lines in the forested mountains surrounding Preah Vihear temple said they worried about more fighting, despite negotiations.
Both sides had ceased speaking to each other or shaking hands, as they had before Wednesday’s fighting, Cambodian soldiers said.
