BANGKOK, Sept 14 (MCOT online news) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday said she has not received official confirmation from Cambodia over the possible release of two Thai activists detained on espionage charges, but pledged to help secure their release during her official visit to Phnom Penh Thursday.
The prime minister is scheduled to leave for Phnom Penh as part of a round of official introductory visits to Thailand’s ASEAN neighbours, her first since assuming her post last month.
Following reports that Cambodia plans to release the two activists of the Thailand Patriot Network, Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, now detained in a Cambodian prison for illegal entry and spying charges, Ms Yingluck said there has been no coordination on the matter from Cambodian authorities yet.
A Cambodian court on Feb 1 ruled that the two were guilty of espionage, illegal entry, and trespassing in a military zone. Mr Veera was sentenced to an eight-year jail term while Ms Ratree received six years in jail.
The Thai premier said the release of two Thais depends on the consideration of the Cambodian government but she, on behalf of the Thai government, will discuss with her Cambodian counterpart to help set them free during her visit.
Whether the pair will be released and return home with the premier or not, Ms Yingluck said she cannot answer but will do her best to secure their release.
As Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen confirmed that the fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra will visit Phnom Penh on Friday, Ms Yingluck, who is the deposed premier's youngest sister, said it's a personal matter and has nothing to do with her visit.
Meanwhile, a Thai court on Wednesday allowed three Red Shirt leaders charged with terrorism to attend a friendly football match with Cambodian politicians in the neighbouring country.
The match between politicians of Pheu Thai Party and Cambodia's political figures is scheduled to be held Sept 24. Four Red Shirt leaders now working with the Pheu Thai government sought court permission to leave Thailand Sept 15-19 and 23-25, saying they must enter Cambodia prior to the match for the preparations.
The four are Veerakarn Musikapong, Pheu Thai MP Natthawut Saikua, Pheu Thai MP Weng Tojirakarn and Yosawarit Chooklom aka Jeng Dokjik, now secretary to the deputy interior minister.
The court however granted permission only to three of them with each person posting Bt600,000 as bail bond and required them to report to the court before Sept 26.
Regarding Dr Weng, he must submit a request on Thursday for the court’s consideration.
The Red Shirt leaders have been charged with terrorism in connection with last year's violent Red Shirt demonstrations against the Abhisit administration and have been released on bail on condition that they must not join any political gathering or leave the kingdom without permission.
5 comments:
The release of two convicted Thai spies is not neccessary. At least 2/3 of sentening time must be served. Pardon denied.
If Hun Sen do this, it is really showing that he sits above law to release these prisoners. What about the opposition that was doing a favor for our national interest??
[Thai] PM pledges to secure release of 2 detained Thai activists [-Don't expect Hun Xen to do the same for Khmer opposition party members]
KI Media Team,
What a beautiful statement you have put at the top of the article in question!
May I add, just to be a little bit fair to Hun Sen, by changing the beginning of your statement to "Don't expect any Khmer leaders so far to do the same for any Khmer opposition party members!".
Keep up the good work! You, guys and girls, are awesome! The more you get cursed by a few, the more you get appreciated and admired by the silent majority.
It is not easy to work for free. You are certainly driven by a strong passion and love for your beloved but unfortunate country of Cambodia.
Being relatively young intelligent people of modern time and technology, all of you have driven the dicator crazy and yet they can't stop you. Bravo!
Pissed off with a lot of things in Cambodian politics, but really happy with KI Media!
How about that?
Pissed off
I thought Hun San said they have to serve at least 2/3 of their sentences first before they can be pardoned and released. I think Yingluck must have done something to please Hun San. She's attractive and Hun Ban Rany is fat and ghostly so the choice is clear. Sleep with Han San one night and she will get what she want. Yingluck sacrifices herself for her country. Now that's something.
Hun Sen hates Cambodians,but loves
Vietnamese people,Thaksin,and
Yingluck as his close friends.
The world craziest and stupidest
is Hun Sen.He is a Vietnam govt dog.
One day,his boss will cook him
because Vietnamese love to eat dog.
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