BANGKOK, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- The border clash between Cambodian and Thai troops Friday came just hours after officials from both countries agreed to avoid border violence, officials said.
The brief skirmish left two people dead and five Thai rangers were captured by Cambodian troops, the Bangkok Post reported. One of the dead was a civilian.
Troops in the area were on high alert Saturday in case of new fighting. During Friday's two-hour battle both sides traded small arms fire and artillery shells were fired.
The clash broke out around Phu Ma Khua near the Preah Vihear temple.
"I don't want to say who started it because it will only prolong the issue," said 2nd Army Commander Lt. Gen. Thawatchai Samutsakhon, who is in charge of the area. "Let's say we both are doing what we are supposed to do."
Officials said the violence could affect the World Heritage Committee's meeting in June to discuss development plans for the Preah Vihear temple.
The fighting occurred just hours after Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Namhong, met in Siem Reap and agreed to avoid violence to resolve border issues.
