Cambodia rejected allegations that its military fired on Thai troops patrolling their border, Phnom Penh's information minister told reporters on Tuesday.

"These claims are entirely false, fabricated and grossly distort the facts with the deliberate intent to mislead public opinion and provoke tension along the Cambodia-Thailand border," Neth Pheaktra said.

Thailand's army said it exchanged fire with Cambodian forces along their border on Tuesday, accusing its neighbour of violating a December truce.

Cambodian forces "fired a single 40 mm grenade round" near a Thai patrol in the border province of Sisaket on Tuesday morning, prompting return fire, according to a Thai army statement.

No Thai personnel were injured, the army said.

"Following the incident, Thai forces responded by firing an M79 (grenade launcher) in the direction from which the shot originated, in accordance with the rules of engagement, as a warning and for self-defence," it added.

Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said in the statement that "Cambodia's actions violated the ceasefire agreement", which ended three weeks of deadly border clashes in late December.

"Preliminary assessment suggests the incident may have resulted from a rotation of Cambodian troops, with new personnel lacking familiarity with regulations and command control, leading to operational shortcomings," the statement said. (AFP)



Edited by Thomas McAlinden