[Thai] Govt in talks to repatriate Veera, Ratree [-Will Hun Xen let the Yellow Shirts leave]

2/04/2012
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.

Cambodian court should release 4 Thai miners soon

Four Thai miners detained in Cambodia for alleged illegal entry since Friday are expected to be released soon, as the court has sought documents to confirm their employment by a gold mining company, a senior Thai immigration police officer said Thursday.

March 29, 2012

The Nation

Sa Kaeo deputy immigration police chief Pol Lt Col Benchapol Rodsawat said the four are now in custody at the court in Sisophon, the provincial seat of Banteay Meanchey province, not in prison.

All are in good condition and awaiting the court's ruling, he said.

The officer said the court asked their employer, a gold mining company in Oddar Meanchey, to submit documents regarding previously granted permission to bring in a power generator and mine surveying equipment to Cambodia, to show the court.

[Thai] Authorities Seek Freedom For Four Thai Detainees In Cambodia

BANGKOK, March 28 (Bernama) -- Concerned authorities are trying to secure freedom for four Thai detainees in neighbouring Cambodia, after they were arrested by Cambodian troops in Cambodia's Banteay Meancheay province on March 23 for allegedly illegal entry.

Sa Kaeo's Ta Phraya district Chief Yutthana Nutchanart said: "I am working closely with relevant Cambodian authorities to seek freedom for the four Thai detainees.

The detainees, who had reportedly appeared before Cambodia's Si Sophon Court, is expected to be set free soon, Thai News Agency quoted Nutchanart as saying.

The four Thai nationals, two employers and two workers of a gold mining company in Cambodia's Udon MeechaiOddar Meanchey province, were identified as 42-year-old Saran Parnphet, 42-year-old Suriya Parnphet who is Saran's wife, 24-year-old Bai Sodajan and 24-year-old Wanwisa Sodachan who is Bai's wife.

Efforts underway to secure release of four Thai detainees

SA KAEO, March 27 (MCOT online news) – The governor of Sa Kaeo said Tuesday he would help secure the release of four Thai nationals detained in Cambodian on March 23 for illegal entry through talks with the Cambodian authorities.

Speaking to reporters before attending a Thai-Cambodian Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting today in Siem Reap, Sanit Naksooksri, governor of Sa Kaeo, said he would raise the issue at the meeting.

According to the preliminary investigation, he said the four had entered Cambodia several times over the past two years through the Bungtakuan-Taphraya border crossing to work legally on a gold mine concession.

[Thai] Govt works to assist four miners held in Cambodia

27/03/2012
Bangkok Post

Government officials are trying to help four miners arrested on illegal entry charges near the Thai-Cambodian border opposite Sa Kaeo province.

The four Thais - mining contractor Saran Panpetch, 42; his wife Suriya, 42; and their workers Bai Sodachan, 24; and his wife Wanwisa, 24 - were arrested by Cambodian troops in Thmor Puak district of Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province opposite Sa Kaeo's Ta Phraya district late on Saturday night.

The four Thais have been charged with illegal entry, Yutthana Nutchanart, chief of Ta Phraya district, said.

Cambodian troops seized two pickups carrying power generating and mining equipment from the Thais.

Thais face court in Sisophon

March 27, 2012
The Nation

Four Thai nationals have been apprehended in Cambodia after entering the country to conduct a survey at a mine without authorisation, Sa Kaew immigration police said yesterday.

The four Thais, two married couples, are in Cambodian military custody. They have been charged with illegal entry and carrying no travel documents, police said. They were identified as Sa Kaew natives Saran Parnphet and wife Suriya, and Bai Sodajan and wife Wanwisa.

The four entered Cambodia early yesterday without notifying Thai authorities. They were due to stand trial at a court in Sisophon in Banteay Meanchey late yesterday, but no verdict had been reached at press time.

4 Thais arrested in Cambodia

26/03/2012
Bangkok Post

Two Thai couples were arrested by Cambodian authorities on Sunday night and charged with illegal entry, Burapa Task Force deputy commander Kukiat Srinaka said on Monday.

Col Kukiat said the Thai-Cambodian border coordination office in Sa Kaeo's Aranyaprathet district reported that the four people were arrested while travelling on two pick-up trucks in Thmor Pouk district of Bantey Meanchey province, about 9km from the Thai border.

They were identified as Saran Panphet, 42, and his wife Suriya, 42, and Bai Sodachan, 24, and his wife Wanwisa, 24.

Thailand, Cambodia to talk prisoner exchange

Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post

Thai Foreign Minister Sura-pong Tovichakchaikul will discuss a prisoner exchange with Cambodia when he visits for the ASEAN Summit, Chinese news agency Xinhua has reported him saying.

Thailand wants to take home nationals Veera Somkwamkid, the coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, and his secretary, Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, who are serving lengthy sentences in Prey Sar prison.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong said last week that Cambodia would consider the request.

Veera Somkwamkid exchange to take place?

Thai FM to Visit Cambodia on Prisoner Exchange Accord

2012-03-20
Xinhua

Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Tuesday he would travel to Cambodia in April to discuss the possibility of exchanging criminals between the two countries in an effort to help the two Thai nationals jailed in Phnom Penh.

Both of them are among those seven Thais who travelled to inspect overlapping border along Thailand's Sa Kaeo province and Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province late December 2010 and were then captured for illegal entry and trespassing into Cambodia's military zone.

But Veera Somkwamkid, leader of the Thai Patriot Network, and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon face added spying charges on top of those two charges. Five others were released on bail in mid- January, 2011.

Thai prisoner swap floated [-Swap idea coincides with Thaksin's visit?]

Thai Yellow Shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid, right, and his secretary Ratree Pipapatanapaiboon, second left, speak to reporters at the Appeal Court in Phnom Penh in December last year. Photo Vireak Mai

Friday, 16 March 2012
Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia officials yesterday said they would “consider” pro­posals reportedly advanced by their Thai counterparts involving the exchange of high-profile prisoners Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, who are now serving time at Prey Sar prison.

The Bangkok Post reported on Thursday that Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul had said he would discuss with Cambodian officials a possible exchange between the two countries that would release the convicted spies.

Veera, a leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, also known as the “Yellow Shirts”, and his secretary Ratree were arrested in December 2010, along with five others after crossing the border into Banteay Meanchey province.

Poor Veera, Hilton-Prey Sar is not good for his health!

(Photo: The Nation)

Veera ill in Cambodian jail, says senator

March 13, 2012
The Nation

Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn said in the Senate yesterday he had learned that the Thai Patriots Network's Veera Somkwamkid is seriously ill in a Cambodian prison with jaundice and legs so swollen he cannot walk.

Veera’s relatives had taken doctors from Bangkok Hospital in Phnom Penh to treat him at high cost, Somchai said.

He asked how the government could help Veera, who is coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, adding that the father of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was currently having cancer treatment in Thailand.

Two Thais Pledged not Guilty in Border Trespassing

Thang Deng Yakla, 52, and Phit Orna, 48 were arrested in May 2010 at Preah Vihear province. (Photo: Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer)

Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh

"I think that if the appeal court has a will to have good relation with neighboring country, they should release my clients.”

The appeal court heard on Wednesday a trespassing case of two Thai nationals armed with a shotgun and entered Cambodia illegally.

The two were identified as Thang Deng Yakla, 52, and Phit Orna, 48. They were arrested in May 2010 at Preah Vihear province.

Defense lawyer said the two were hunters and had no intention to cause armed conflicts.

"They came here for hunting," said Kao Sopha, defense lawyer for the two accused. "I think that if the appeal court has a will to have good relation with neighboring country, they should release my clients.”

Phnom Penh proposed swap deal for Veera and Ratree

December 29, 2011
The Nation

Cambodia on Thursday refused to free the two Thai activists jailed on spy charges but offered a deal to swap them with Cambodian prisoners jailed in Thailand.

Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Phnom Penh insisted that Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Wiwattanapaibul have to serve a portion of their jail terms as stipulated in the law before being eligible to request for royal pardon.

Surapong was in Phnom Penh Wednesday to hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart, Hor Nam Hong. Top on the agenda was the fate of Veera and Ratree who were arrested along with other Thais on December 28 last year while inspecting a border area.

Thai Foreign Minister visits Cambodia

BANGKOK, Dec 29 (MCOT) -- Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul left Thailand for Cambodia Thursday morning to strengthen bilateral ties and prepare for the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting which will resume soon.

Mr Surapong told reporters at Suvarnabhumi Airport that during his two-day visit, he will meet his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong to follow up agreements made during Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s visit to Phnom Penh in September.

The Thai foreign minister will discuss preparations for the Thai-Cambodian boundary meeting which is expected to resume soon and also ask for clarification from Cambodia on the Dec 15 shooting incident when Cambodian troops fired on a Thai helicopter in order to better understand the circumstances.

The Royal Thai Navy helicopter was shot in mid-air while delivering food to a military base situated near the Cambodian border in Trat province. No one was injured but the helicopter was slightly damaged and was forced to make an emergency landing.

Mr Surapong said he would seek more details on the latest developments regarding two Thai activists jailed in Cambodia for espionage charges after their Cambodian lawyer yesterday withdrew their appeal against the verdict of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court of First Instance, opening the way to seek a royal pardon from the Cambodian king.

Two Thai spies jailed in Cambodia withdraw Appeal complaint

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The two Thai "Yellow-Shirt" activists jailed in Cambodia for espionage appeared in the Court of Appeal on Wednesday to withdraw their complaint against the verdict of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court of First Instance.

The pair are Veera Somkwamkid, one of the leaders of the People 's Network against Corruption and a high-profile activist in the Thailand Patriot Network, and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court of First Instance, on Feb.1, convicted Veera and Ratree of illegal entry, unlawful entry into military base and espionage and sentenced them to eight years and six years in jail respectively.

In later February, the two Thais lodged an appeal against the verdict.

Thailand, Cambodia To Discuss Border Opening For Trade

BANGKOK, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Thailand and Cambodia will hold a Joint Commission for Cooperation (JC) on Dec 29, in a bid to strengthen bilateral relations, Thai News Agency reported.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said that he will attend the JC meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong in Cambodia, with a plan on the further opening of border for trade to be included for discussions.

Surapong said that another major issue which might be raised at the upcoming Thai-Cambodian JC meeting is a possibility for the release of two Thai activists, Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, who have been imprisoned in Cambodia.

Veera and his secretary, Ratree, were arrested by Cambodian soldiers in December last year and were charged by a Phnom Penh court of trespassing and espionage. Several attempts have been made by the Thai government to secure for their release.

Why does Veera get royal treatment in Prey Sar when Cambodians are shot and killed like animal by the Thai soldiers along the border

Thai doctor to treat Veera in Phnom Penh prison

December 3, 2011
The Nation

A rheumatism specialist will head to Cambodia next week to treat Thai Patriot Network leader Veera Somkwamkid, Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi said yesterday.

Thani said the ministry had asked the doctor from Rajvithi Hospital to visit Veera in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar prison.

The Cambodian government jailed Veera and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon for espionage last year.

Thai doctor allowed to treat ailing Veera in Cambodian jail [-Why does Veera deserve special treatment?]

November 29, 2011
The Nation

Cambodia has granted permission for a Thai doctor to visit activist Veera Somkhamkid in Pray Sar prison on the outskirts of Phnom Penh in order to treat the detainee for a chronic illness, Foreign Minister Surapong Towichuk-chaikul said yesterday.

The visit is expected to take place next week. Veera and Ratree Pipattanapai-boon have been held since last December, a Cambodian court having convicted them of espionage after they inspected disputed border areas near Ban Nongchan in Sa Kaeo.

Veera was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, while Ratree was jailed for six years for the same charge.

Cambodia allows Thai medic to visit Veera

November 28, 2011
The Nation

Cambodia allowed Thai medic to visit detained Thai activist Veera Somkhamkid in Pray Sar prison outskirt of Phnom Penh to provide him medical treatment for his chronic illness, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Monday.

Veera was detained together with Ratree Pipattanapaiboon since December last year for espionage charge as they inspected disputed border areas near Sakaew province Ban Nongchan.

He was sentenced eight years imprisonment while Ratree was jailed six years for the same charge.

Appeal date pushed back for Thai spies

Thai Yellow Shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid is escorted out of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
The Phnom Penh Post

The Court of Appeal yesterday postponed the hearing of convicted Thai spies Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipapatanapaiboon due to their lack of defence lawyers and Thai interpreters.

Samrith Sophal, a judge at the Court of Appeal, said that the duo’s appeal hearing, which was set to open yesterday, has been postponed to November 28.

“Their case is criminal and [they] must have lawyers to defend them for their hearing. Due to their lack of defence lawyers and interpreters, it is decided to postpone their appeal hearing to November 28,” he told reporters yesterday at the Court of Appeal.