Clashes persist along the border of the Thailand-Cambodia - CNN International

Thailand said a soldier was wounded in the Sunday skirmishReport: Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva calls for bilateral meetings to end the disputeAuthorities say at least 7 Thai and Cambodian troops were killed in the side recent clashesEach accuses the other for the violencewhich broke out about two temples

Bangkok, Thailand (CNN) - fighting erupted for a third straight day in an area contested Sunday Thai-Cambodian border, said a Thai military official.

A member of the light injured supported of the Thailand in the skirmish, which lasted about three hours and involved small arms and artillery, colonel Sansern Kaewkumnerd said.

In his weekly address, first Thai Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called for bilateral meetings to end the conflict, reported the given news agency.

"The Thailand will not fall into the trap of Cambodia, in which the neighbor tries to intensify the conflict so violently that the dispute cannot be resolved at the bilateral level," Abhisit said, according to given.

Authorities evacuated thousands of people from nearby villages.

Each side accuses the other of violence, which erupted Friday near two temples in the province of Surin district Phanom Dong Rak at Thailand.

The Thailand Public Health Ministry said four Thai soldiers were killed in clashes Friday and Saturday. Government of Cambodia, said that three of its soldiers were killed.

Sansern accused Thai Cambodian troops of opening fire first Sunday and said troops responded to protect the sovereignty of their country.

The Cambodian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment. A statement of the Ministry of defence of the country Saturday described the Thai clashes as an "attack by infantry units", accusing the Thailand flying spy planes in Cambodia and to tackle the heavy weapons.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Thailand, issued statements Saturday accusing Cambodia of the "firing of heavy weapons to Thai innocent civilians."

The Office of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Saturday ban was "troubled" by the recent clashes, especially after the "first signs of progress" to resolve their disputes peacefully.

"The Secretary-General calls on both sides to exercise maximum restraint and to take immediate measures to put in place for an effective and verifiable ceasefire", said the statement.

At least 10 people were killed when the fighting broke out in another region of border between the two nations in February, which prompted the United Nations Security Council to issue a statement calling on both parties to implement a ceasefire.

These clashes, which lasted four days, was the result of a long-standing dispute related to the Temple of Preah Vihear of the 11th century. Cambodia and the Thailand claim the temple, which is located at the top of a cliff on Cambodian soil, but has its most accessible entry on the Thai side.

At the time, each nation has accused the other of firing first.KOSHA Olarn of CNN has contributed to this report.

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