Cambodia releases 3 Thai protestors

BANGKOK, July 15 (TNA) - The Thai Army Chief had confirmed Cambodia
released three Thai protestors detained on Tuesday for illegally entering the disputed area adjacent to Preah Vihear temple.

Thai Army Chief Gen. Anupong Paojinda said Cambodian authorities released them unconditionally and the trio, including a Buddhist monk, crossed the border onto the Thai side.

Gen. Anupong also confirmed about a troop reinforcement near the disputed area.

It was the first cross-border protest since Cambodia blocked access to
Preah Vihear temple to visitors from Thailand last month, after some Thai protestors attempted to march on the temple ruins.

Thai protestors snuck into disputed area adjacent to temple. The
protestors made their way secretly through a barbed wire fence from the Thai side into the disputed zone at the entrance to Preah Vihear temple.

Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niampradit said he believed the
dispute would not escalate because Thai and Cambodian authorites had a
good understanding.

In a related development, a Thai army ranger lost his leg after stepping on a landmine near the disputed temple on the Cambodian border. He was patrolling the area when the accident occurred.

The Associated Press quoted Hang Soth, director-general of the national authority for Preah Vihear temple, as saying about 40 Thai troops entered Cambodia near Preah Vihear temple. However, Thai military officials denied any incursion, saying troops had simply deployed near the disputed area to protect national sovereignty.(