Myanmar to grant amnesty to two Thai detainees

RANONG, THAILAND, January 19 (TNA) - The Myanmar government is considering to reduce jail terms and to grant an amnesty for two Thai nationals who have been detained in a prison in Myanmar’s Kawthaung province. Director of the Thai-Myanmar Centre for Cooperation Against Human Trafficking in Kawthaung province Police Major Ro Lan told journalists of the update Saturday, when he crossed the border to receive a convicted Myanmar national who had earlier been nabbed after sneaking into Thailand's southern Ranong province. Police Major Ro Lan said he expected a good news from the Myanmar government soon, affirming that the two Thai people have received good care in the prison and both have remained healthy. The jailed Thai man and woman, Thanom Chansamut and Kanlaya Thawo, were in a group of 92 Thai villagers who were arrested and detained by the Myanmar authorities in July 2012 for trespassing, but 90 of them were released by the Myanmar authorities last December, leaving only the pair having been jailed on additional drug charges. Meanwhile, Colonel Uthit Ananthananond, Vice Chairman of the Ranong-Kawthaung township border committee, insisted that Thai authorities will continue seeking the release of the two Thai detainees in Kawthaung. (TNA)