Cambodian tourists angered Thais by singing their national anthem at a Khmer temple in disputed territory.

Dozens of visitors from the neighboring country gathered at the Prasat Ta Krabey in Surin, northeast Thailand, on June 18.

They recorded themselves singing their national anthem together at the landmark, which was once part of the mighty Khmer Empire before its borders reclined in the 16th century.

Thais were angry at the stunt, which came amid a border dispute with their neighbour and a spat between the two governments.

Officials at the Royal Thai Army released a statement on June 20 after Suranaree Command received a report of the incident from the 2602nd Ranger Company.

The statement said: ‘Thai soldiers handled the situation politely and appropriately.

‘We also negotiated through reasoned dialogue to foster understanding, explaining that symbolic actions in the area were not in line with the guidelines and agreements previously discussed by both parties.

‘We requested cooperation to refrain from such behaviour.

‘The group of Cambodian tourists showed understanding and voluntarily ended their activities before leaving the area, after spending around 20 minutes there.

‘The situation went smoothly, and discussions continued in a positive atmosphere, following the cooperative approach upheld by both sides.

‘According to the joint agreement between the Thai and Cambodian sides, unarmed military personnel could be sent into Ta Kwai Temple area to facilitate public visits to the site.'

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated after a clash between troops from both countries in a disputed area in Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani, on May 28, resulting in the death of a Cambodian sergeant.

Thailand expressed its intention to resolve the dispute through existing bilateral mechanisms.

However, Cambodia vowed to take the case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and current Prime Minister Hun Manet claimed that the disputed area belongs to Cambodia.

But Thailand maintained that the area is a no-man's land within an un-demarcated zone.