BEIJING - THE Thai and Cambodian prime ministers agreed during a meeting here on Friday that their nations would prevent any more armed clashes over a border dispute, their foreign ministers said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart Somchai Wongsawat, in Beijing for a summit of Asian and European leaders, met to discuss the tensions that have erupted into deadly clashes.

'The two sides have to advise our troops not to have confrontations any longer', Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornviwat told reporters as he summarised agreements made between the two leaders.

A Thai soldier died on Tuesday from wounds sustained on Oct 15 in a 40-minute firefight near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple, which is claimed by both countries. Three Cambodian soldiers were also killed.

It was the most serious border clash in years but tensions have now eased and both sides have said they do not expect any escalation in the conflict.

Mr Hun Sen said last week there was no need for outsiders such as the United Nations or the Association of South-east Asian Nations to get involved in the dispute.

The hilltop Preah Vihear temple has stirred nationalist passions in both countries for generations.

The International Court of Justice awarded it to Cambodia in 1962, a ruling that has rankled in Thailand ever since, but it failed to determine the ownership of 4.6 square kilometres of scrub next to the Hindu ruins.