PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, July 2 (UPI) -- The Thai military says Cambodia is moving troops into the area around the ancient Preah Vihear temple -- a claim refuted by Phnom Penh.
The claim came after Bangkok announced it was leaving the World Heritage Convention over continuing disputes over the temple and surrounding land, The Guardian reported.
Some analysts believe the issue is driven by Sunday's general election in Thailand.
"In this very critical week for Thai politics, [the temple dispute] has appeared again as a political weapon," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.
Chachavalpongpun said the government's stance wouldn't win over opponents but might rally nationalist sympathizers who had drifted away.
However, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the decision to leave the convention was solely about defending Thailand.
The temple has been the site of skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian troops for several months, with each side blaming the other for the hostilities.
Bangkok doesn't dispute ownership of the temple, but it claims ownership of an area of about 3 square miles surrounding the site.
