ID :
12595
Tue, 07/15/2008 - 19:33
Auther :

Cambodia releases three Thai protestors at border

SI SA KET, July 15 (TNA) – Thailand's Si Sa Ket provincial governor said on Tuesday that Cambodia released three Thai protestors detained earlier in the day for illegally entering the disputed area adjacent to Preah Vihear temple.

Governor Seni Chittakasem said Cambodian authorities released themunconditionally and the trio crossed the border into Thai side.

Earlier Thai Supreme Commander Gen. Boonsang Niampradit said CambodianDefence Minister Tia Banh promised to instruct his subordinates to secure their release.

It was the first cross-border protest since Cambodia blocked access to Preah Vihear temple to visitors from Thailand last month after someThai protestors attempted to march on the temple ruins.

The protestors made their way secretly through a barbed wire fence from the Thai side into the disputed zone at the entrance of Preah Vihear temple in an attempt to raise the Thai national flag over thedisputed area.

The three were reportedly members of the Dharma Yatra, a Buddhist peace pilgrimage group and were identified as Wichan Thabson, Chanikar Kaonok and Phra Kampong, who is a Buddhist monk.

Cambodian authorities earlier said the trio would be prosecuted forillegal entry.

The border province of Si Sa Ket has been tense since Cambodia's successful registration of Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritagesite this month.


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