Talks over disputed temple fail.

High level talks between Thailand and Cambodia regarding the recent escalation in tensions surrounding the disputed Preah Vihear temple, which sits on the countries’ joint border, have reportedly failed after commencing on 21 July 2008. Over the past weeks, hundreds of Thai and Cambodian troops have been involved in numerous stand-offs on the temple grounds, with Thailand stating that the inclusion of the temple into the UNESCO heritage site under the Cambodian umbrella has endangered the sovereignty of the Thai people. As a result of the deadlock, troops from both countries will remain in position; however, both sides have agreed to keep their weapons out of the temple. The turmoil surrounding the temple began when Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej agreed to support Cambodia's bid to obtain World Heritage status for the temple, which was later awarded. Although the World Court ruled that the temple belonged to Cambodia, the most accessible entrance lies in Thailand. In 2003, a similar disagreement between the two countries regarding the famed Cambodian Angkor Wat temple resulted in an angry mob setting fire to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh.