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 PHANOM DONG RAK, Thailand (AFP) – Heavy weapons
fire rocked the Thai-Cambodian border for a seventh day on Thursday as officials confirmed a 15th death in the bloodiest fighting between the neighbours in decades.
"One Thai soldier died during a clash this morning and four were wounded," Major Sukit Subanjui, deputy spokesman for northeastern region Thai army, told AFP.
Earlier hopes of an imminent ceasefire between the two warring nations faded Wednesday after Bangkok pulled out of talks with its neighbour.
Talks aimed at ending hostilities had been due to take place in Phnom Penh on Wednesday, but Thai Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon called off the planned meeting with his Cambodian
counterpart at the last minute.
Army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said the trip was cancelled after Cambodian media reported that Thailand had admitted defeat in the standoff.
"I will definitely talk with Cambodia but I don't want the public to think the decision to talk is a defeat for Thailand," Prawit told reporters before flying to China for an unrelated meeting.
The two nations traded fresh accusations over the breakdown in diplomatic overtures.
"Thailand isn't honest about wanting to reach a permanent ceasefire," Cambodian government
spokesman Phay Siphan said.
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