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Cambodian tourist sparks clash at ancient Khmer temple on disputed Thai border after posing with national flag

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A Cambodian tourist sparked a clash with Thai visitors when she posed with the national flag at a disputed ancient Khmer temple on the border.

Footage shows the female holidaymaker in a long skirt flashing her blue checkered scarf embroidered with the Cambodian flag as she posed for photos at the Prasat Ta Khwai or Prasat Ta Krabei temple on July 5.

The nationalistic display angered several Thai tourists, who allegedly threatened to use violence and blocked the woman from taking photos of the sacred ruins, which date back to the mighty Khmer Empire before it was absorbed into Siam.

As tempers flared, Thai soldiers, seen in the video wearing black army fatigues, were also said to have started insulting the Cambodians.

Cambodian media reported that the officers were not stationed in the area, and had 'joined the row without complete information or context'.

Ten Cambodian troops assigned at the temple later stepped in to defuse the tensions, with both sides dispersing after mediation.

In a July 7 statement, the Cambodian Defence Ministry said: 'The Ministry of National Defence stressed the need for Thailand to cooperate with Cambodia in bringing the cases of Ta Moan Thom Temple, Ta Moan Tauch Temple, Ta Krabei Temple, and the Three-Point Border Area (Mom Bei) before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in order to definitively determine the ownership of Ta Krabei Temple.

'Besides, Thai soldiers have prohibited Cambodian civilians from using Krama (Cambodian traditional scarves) with Cambodian national flag stitch on, while simultaneously allowing Thai citizens to wear clothing and accessories displaying the Thai flag openly. Such actions violate previously agreed bilateral arrangements.

'Cambodian citizens have every right to wear attire and use items bearing the Cambodian national flag when visiting Ta Krabei Temple, as doing so does not breach any mutual agreements.

'Cambodia remains fully committed to honoring the bilateral agreements in a strict and responsible manner as a good neighbour. Thailand must also adhere to these agreed-upon terms in a consistent and disciplined way to avoid creating tension or incidents that neither side wishes to see.'

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 claim that the disputed area belongs to Cambodia.

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

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