Officials finding ways to help release 2 Thai detainees in Myanmar

RANONG, Dec 30 (TNA) - Concerned government agencies including the army are still finding ways to help two Thai villagers now imprisoned in Myanmar on charges of possessing drug, illegal entry and forest encroachment, Colonel Uthit Anantananond, deputy commander of the special 25th Infantry Regiment task force, said on Sunday. The two villagers including a man and a woman are now imprisoned in Kawthaung province of Myanmar. The 52-year-old man was sentenced to an 18-year imprisonment for possessing narcotics, illegal entry and forest encroachment. The 49-year-old woman received a 15-year imprisonment on illegal entry and forest encroachment and it is hoped that she would be released by the court after her husband died recently. They were among 92 Thai villagers arrested by Myanmar officials on July 4 for encroaching into Myanmar. They had claimed that they were persuaded and duped by a broker to cultivate the land in the area without knowledge that it belongs to Myanmar. The area where they were captured is opposite the Thai border district of Kra Buri in Ranong province. To date, 90 of them were released and returned to their homeland. Col. Uthit said the two imprisoned villagers have not received leniency from Myanmar authorities because they were charged of possessing drug which is considered as severe guilty in that country. However, the Thai government and responsible agencies are exploring ways to assist the duo for their release, he added. (TNA)