A group of local people on Sunday rallied in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province in protest against the Dharma Yatra group which has set up a stage in their village and is delivering speeches demanding the return of Preah Vihear temple to Thailand.

The villagers said they are afraid the group's activities could lead to a clash between Thai and Cambodian soldiers which could subsequently force them to evacuate their homes similar to what had happened in the past.

The Dharma Yatra group formed to safeguard Thai territory, led by Saman Sri-ngam, on Sunday morning set up a stage at Ban Sok Kham Pom in tambon Phu Pha Mok. Their leaders then took turns to deliver a speech demanding the return of Preah Vihear temple.

This prompted about 50 villagers to rally at an intersection near the village temple, about 500 metres from the Dharma Yatra group's stage, and demand the group end its activities.

Somkid Chuapong, a Pheu Thai MP, was among the villagers upset by the group.

As of Sunday afternoon, the villagers and the group were still confronting each other.

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