The border skirmish started after members of the Cambodian military threw hand grenades, said to Col. Sansern Kaewkumnerd, a Thai military spokesman. The Thai army responded with gunfire, he said. One Thai soldier was seriously injured.

On Monday, the UN Security Council called for a truce between the two Asian nations and urged them to begin a dialogue to end their dispute over Preah Vihear Temple.

The council issued its statement following a closed-door session on the conflict that included representatives from both sides and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"The members of the Security Council called on the two sides to display maximum restraint and avoid any action that may aggravate the situation," said the statement, read by Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil, which holds the monthly presidency of the 15-member body for February.

"The members of the Security Council further urged the parties to establish a permanent ceasefire and to implement it fully and resolve the situation peacefully and through effective dialogue," she said.

Border skirmishes, which started earlier this month, have killed five people, including members of the military and civilians, a statement from ASEAN said, adding that each nation accuses the other of firing first.