Visitors fled from an ancient Khmer temple today amid clashes between Cambodians and Thai soldiers.

Footage shows the chaotic scene at the Prasat Ta Muen Thom monument along the border between Surin, northeast Thailand and Oddar Meanchey in Cambodia, shortly after midday.

The incident is said to have erupted when a Cambodian woman shouted at the military personnel, claiming they were on foreign soil. The argument escalated with shouting and shoving, including demands for Thai soldiers to leave the area.

Soldiers from both sides approached to intervene, including almost one company of Cambodian soldiers who ran to the entrance of the temple on the Thai side, where Thai soldiers were stationed.

Thai soldiers had to order all tourists to leave the area for their safety.

At 2.45pm, the Royal Thai Army announced that the situation had been resolved and tourists could visit the temple as normal.

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.

Thailand and Cambodia have a fractious history. The Khmer Empire once stretched across much of Southeast Asia before the ancient leaders moved their base south to Phnom Penh in the 16th century amid water shortages, with the land taken over by the Siamese kingdom.

Both countries have rival claims to food, language, culture, territory and ancient artefacts.