Government thanks Cambodia for releasing Thai detainee

BANGKOK, February 2 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, on behalf of the Thai government, has thanked the Cambodian government for releasing a Thai female activist, Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, through a royal pardon, on the occasion of the cremation of late Cambodian King Norodom Sihanouk early next week. As Ratree returned to Thailand safely Friday night, Surapong told journalists this morning that the Thai government will continue to seek Phnom Penh's approval for another Thai male activist, Veera Somkwamkid, to serve his remaining jail term in Thailand. Surapong admitted, however, that he was not certain whether Phnom Penh would agree to the request, as most of Cambodian prisoners in Thai jails were convicted on charges of drug trafficking, stealing and entering Thailand illegally; while Veera was sentenced by a Cambodian court on charges of threatening national security of the neighbouring country. The two Thai activists were arrested by Cambodian authorities on December 29, 2010 while inspecting a contentious area claimed by both countries. Both Thai nationals were then charged with intruding and spying on military facilities in the Cambodian Banteay Meanchey province. Veera then received an eight year prison sentence by the Cambodian court for espionage and illegal entry; while Ratree, his secretary, was handed six years jail on the same charges. Ratree was later granted the royal pardon by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni; while Veera’s prison term was reduced by six months. (TNA)