Thailand has defended its use of tear gas and rubber bullets in border clashes with Cambodian villagers last week.

Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, accused Cambodia of using civilians as 'human shields' during protests in border villages in Sa Kaeo province on September 18.

The conflict saw Cambodians dismantling Thai razor wire fences and throwing objects at soldiers to protest alleged encroachment in the area. Thai officials blamed the Cambodian side for allegedly inciting violence.

In a statement, Nikorndej said: 'Instigations and incitements to protest and unrest by the Cambodian side in the said area are tantamount to using civilians as human shields.

‘Such actions are against international law, inhumane, irresponsible, unconstructive, and clearly taken without due regard for the safety and interests of the people.'

The ministry noted that the fighting came after both countries had committed to the Putrajaya Ceasefire Agreement, and discussed the conflict in two General Border Committee (GBC) meetings.

A halt to military action had been agreed among themselves with input from ASEAN members,

Nikorndej continued: 'Thailand and Cambodia are neighbours that cannot be separated. Mutual trust, based on the sincerity of both sides, is therefore a prerequisite and fundamental to determining the course of relations between our two countries.

‘Such sincerity constitutes the very foundation of the spirit of the Putrajaya Ceasefire Agreement, which will guide both countries toward lasting peace.'

Thailand said it will use bilateral mechanisms, including the General Border Committee (GBC), the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), and the Regional Border Committee, to address the territorial dispute.

It also urged Cambodia to 'refrain from activities further hindering efforts to de-escalate tensions'.

Protests from the Cambodia side broke out along the Thai-Cambodia border last week, in the worst escalation since a military ceasefire was brokered by ASEAN members in July.

Thai riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the civilians who were trying to tear down razor wire fences and hurling insults at the officers .

Cambodian officials claimed 23 villagers were injured, while the Thai authorities said several troops were also wounded.

Thailand has since given Cambodia 30 days to clear the area if no agreement is reached after the next General Border Committee talk.

Thailand and Cambodia have been fighting for more than a century over several undemarcated sections of their 817-kilometre (508-mile) border, which was originally mapped by France in 1907 while Cambodia was still its protectorate.

But tensions flared in the long-disputed frontier as both accused each other of instigating violence on July 24, which killed at least 48 and temporarily displaced some 300,000 on both sides of the border.

Cambodia claimed responsibility for alleged war crimes, firing rockets into Thailand that struck a gas station, killing a number of children.

The two nations have reached a shaky truce following talks facilitated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).