Siem Reap, Cambodia - Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers were preparing for lunchtime talks Monday aimed at defusing mounting border tensions over land surrounding an ancient Hindu temple.

The talks were scheduled to be held in a Siem Reap hotel, more than 300 kilometres north-west of Phnom Penh, between Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and his newly appointed Thai counterpart, Tej Bunnang.

Cambodian government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said he was hopeful the discussions could nut out differences between the neighbours that have seen 1,000-plus troops mobilized on their border.

"We hope the meeting can relieve some tensions," Kanharith said. "We need to talk about the military presence."

Thailand moved troops into what it calls a disputed area and what Cambodia maintains is its territory shortly after the Preah Vihear temple was made a World Heritage Site by UNESCO this month.

The 11th-century temple is sacred to Thais and Cambodians but only easily accessible from Thailand. Cambodia closed the border in June, saying it feared trouble after Thai protests.

Both sides have said they would not back down on the issue - a particularly sensitive one with nationalistic feelings running high on both sides.

Cambodia held national elections Sunday, returning the current government with an increased majority, but the Thai government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej remained under pressure from the electorate.

The talks will be the second held on the issue after a meeting between the countries' defence ministers in Thailand failed to resolve the issue. (dpa)