Phnom Penh - Thai troops have withdrawn from a disputed northern border area near a sacred ancient temple after threats of war from Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodian authorities said Tuesday.

Director-general of Cambodia's Preah Vihear National Authority Hang Soth said by telephone that Thai troops had moved their camp back from an area near the 11th century Preah Vihear temple Tuesday morning, just an hour before the midday deadline set by Hun Sen for when he would order Cambodian troops into battle

On Monday, Hun Sen said he would turn the area into a "death zone" if Thailand continued to occupy what Thailand says is disputed territory and Cambodia maintains is its sovereign land.

"The Thai troops have withdrawn about 500 or 600 metres this morning," Hang Soth said, but declined further comment.

The latest flare-up concerned Thai troop movements around the Eagle Terrace area, 2 kilometres east of the temple. Whichever side controls access to that area controls access to the temple.

The border tussle has been going on for decades but heated up in July shortly after UNESCO granted Preah Vihear World Heritage status over Thai protests. Cambodia then accused Thai troops of incursions.

The tense standoff has since spread along the north-western border and bilateral talks have so far failed to find a resolution.

Earlier Tuesday, Hun Sen delivered yet another furious speech railing at Thailand during an economic forum in the capital.

"Now you step a little bit on my foot. If you step on Cambodia's head, there is no way," he said.

"An ant is a small thing, but it can still disturb the life of an elephant," he said. "If you want to die, please, step."

If Cambodia does resort to the use of force in accordance with its so-called ultimatum, "Thailand will have to exercise its right of self-defence as provided under the Charter of the United Nations," said the Thai Foreign Ministry in a statement issued to the press Tuesday. (dpa)