MFA:Thais nabbed in Japan to be prosecuted

BANGKOK, August 19 (TNA) - Acting Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who is also Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, has stressed that three Thai nationals nabbed in Japan for involving in a recent run over incident, killing a Japanese boy and seriously injuring another girl, are to be prosecuted under Japanese laws. Sihasak told journalists in Bangkok on Tuesday that he has received an initial report that Japanese police have arrested the three Thai citizens for allegedly involving in a running over two young Japanese students on a road in Choshi City of Japan's Chiba Prefecture on August 14, killing a male student and seriously injuring another female student. Sihasak insisted that the three Thai nationals must be obliged by the Japanese laws, but the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs is duty-bound to assist and facilitate them in fighting the case in legal procedures, namely finding a lawyer for them. Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sek Wannamethee acknowledged the Thai Embassy in Tokyo has been confirmed by Japanese authorities that the incident did occur and the three Thais were being questioned by Japanese police. Sek, who is also Director General of the ministry's Department of Information, stated that the Thai Embassy to Japan has coordinated with the Japanese police to closely follow up updates of the case, noting that the Japanese authorities have not yet disclosed details of the three detained Thais. According to the spokesman, officials of the Thai Embassy in Tokyo will visit the three Thai detainees, once allowed by the Japanese authorities, and are prepared to provide them with needed assistance regarding the case, if requested. (TNA)