Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post
PHNOM PENH : Thailand has held prisoner-exchange talks with Cambodia in a bid to get two Thais repatriated.
Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkaew yesterday met his Cambodian counterpart Ung Seng on the sidelines of an Asean summit in Phnom Penh.
A ministry source said both sides raised the possibility of helping Veera Somkwamkid, the Thai Patriots Network's coordinator, and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon by exchanging prisoners.
It was the first time a prisoner exchange was officially discussed since Cambodia proposed the option during a visit by Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul late last year. The two countries also talked about a royal pardon for a group of prisoners, without mentioning Veera or Ratree, said the source.
The issue is expected to be raised again at the next Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission in Bangkok on May 20-21.
Veera and Ratree were arrested in late December 2010 and charged with illegal entry and espionage. They were jailed for eight and six years respectively.
Mr Sihasak also raised the issue of illegal timber trafficking along the Thai-Cambodian border. Both sides greed to improve relations to end the trafficking, the source said.
More than 400 Cambodians have been arrested for encroachment after logging trees on Thai soil. In six cases, weapons were used to attack Thai authorities.
Regarding Preah Vihear temple, the source said both sides would let the case be considered by the International Court of Justice and agreed to avoid border conflicts under the provisional measure ordered by the court last June.
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