Fighting has erupted in northern Cambodia near the border with Thailand between forces loyal to ousted first prime minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh and government soldiers. The fighting is centered around the village of O'Smach, the final stronghold of Prince Ranariddh's resistance. As ENVER SOLOMON reports from the Thai capital, Bangkok, the Cambodian government has been struggling to take the village since it launched a major offensive last August:

Now that the heavy monsoon rains have passed, the Cambodian government is eager to finally defeat Prince Ranariddh's forces. Its latest offensive began nearly two weeks ago; taking advantage of the change in the weather and having received new military hardware from China, the government was confident it would easily defeat the enemy.

Officials predicted O'Smach would fall within four days, but once again they've been proved wrong. Prince Ranariddh's men have put up stubborn resistance.

This is mainly due to the support they've had from Khmer Rouge guerrillas. Having fought against the Cambodian government, the guerrillas are hardened and experienced fighters.

Prince Ranariddh's soldiers also have a natural strategic advantage. O'Smach is perched on a hill right next to the Thai border.

Unable to enter Thai territory, the government forces can only attack the village from one direction. They also have to negotiate hundreds of landmines.