Competing claims over the land on which the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple is situated on Thailand's northeastern border with Cambodia brought the two neighbors close to an armed clash last month, when hundreds of troops from both sides massed on the frontier.

Both sides pulled out most of their troops on Saturday, leaving only 10 soldiers from each country at the compound of a pagoda near the temple, according to Hang Soth, director-general of the Preah Vihear National Authority, a Cambodian government agency managing the historic site.

Foreign ministers of the two countries were to hold informal talks over dinner in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin, with a more formal session planned for Tuesday. Two earlier rounds of talks were inconclusive.

"It is the responsibility of the government to talk with Cambodia for a peaceful solution, not war," Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said during a visit Monday morning with Thai troops stationed near the temple. He was accompanied by Thai army commander Gen. Anupong Paojinda.

Samak, who made the trip in his capacity as defense minister, said he wanted his country's troops "to show restraint because the policy of my government is not to go to war with neighboring countries."

He said Thai troops at the border could live in peaceful coexistence with Cambodia's soldiers.

Senior military officials of the two countries met last week, after which both sides pulled back hundreds of soldiers from the area. About 800 troops from Cambodia and 400 from Thailand had been deployed to Preah Vihear and the surrounding area in a monthlong standoff in which weapons were drawn once but no shots were fired.

The supreme commander of Thailand's armed forces, Gen. Boonsang Niempradit, urged the two sides to work toward an understanding, and told reporters that talks should help alleviate any tensions.

Cambodia's Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said he was "optimistic the meeting will achieve a good success" and lead to "a lasting solution to border problems between Cambodia and Thailand."

Speaking before he left Cambodia, he reiterated his government's desire to solve the problems with Thailand peacefully and amicably, because "our two countries share a lot of economic and trade interests."

Hor Namhong said the two countries will work toward withdrawing all the remaining troops from the area to allow for mine clearance operations and border demarcation.