[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.

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.

Thailand extradites four Khmer prisoners to Cambodia

SA KAEO, Feb 1 (MCOT online news) - Thailand on Wednesday extradited four Cambodian prisoners, but the Sa Kaeo prison chief denies it was an exchange for two Thai activists jailed earlier in Phnom Penh for espionage.

Sa Kaeo Deputy Governor Chat Kittinoppadon and Sa Kaeo Provincial Prison Commander Kittipat Dechapahun witnessed the handover ceremony of four Cambodian prisoners -- two men and two women -- to the Cambodian government through Cambodian ambassador to Thailand You Aye.

It was the first time that a handover was held at a local checkpoint as the event was held in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province.

The four men were jailed at Sa Kaeo Provincial Prison for drug-related offences and have completed one-third of their jail term. They are now entitled to be extradited to finish their jail terms in their homeland.

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.

[ICJ] Court will consider border row in June

3/12/2011
Wassana Nanuam
Bangkok Post

The International Court of Justice will consider border dispute issues between Thailand and Cambodia in June, says Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Mr Surapong said yesterday the Thai legal team in the Hague had told him they had submitted a request seeking an interpretation by the court on the border row.

Cambodia will submit its request in March next year, after which the ICJ is expected to hear the case in June.

In the meantime, Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa will attend the Thai-Cambodia General Border Committee meeting on Dec 21 in Phnom Penh.

If any agreements are reached at the GBC meeting, they will be proposed to the cabinet for consideration and then submitted for parliamentary ratification as required by Section 190 of the constitution, Mr Surapong said.

Section 190 stipulates that any international treaties and agreements must be approved by parliament first.

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.

Hun Sen flags intention to assist Thai detainees [... but not political Khmer detainees?]

Surapong: Royal pardon being mooted

Hopes soar for release of Veera, Ratree

28/09/2011
Thanida Tansubhapol & King-Oua Laohong
Bangkok Post

Hopes that Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaibul will be granted a royal pardon have soared after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen signalled his intention to help the Thai detainees.

"Cambodia will try to shorten the jail terms for Mr Veera and Ms Ratree first. After the two have served at least two-thirds of their sentences, the Cambodian government will seek a royal pardon for them," Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said yesterday in New York, where he attended the UN General Assembly.

Phnom Penh Municipality Court in February jailed Veera, leader of the Thai Patriots Network, for eight years for spying, crossing the border and illegally entering a military base last December. Veera's secretary Ratree was sentenced to six years for the same offences.

Surapong: Hun Sen will help Veera, Ratree get pardons [-Hun Xen's gift to Yingluck?]

Veera Somkwamkid

27/09/2011
Bangkok Post

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has shown an intention to help Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwankid and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon get a royal pardon, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said in New York on Tuesday.

Mr Surapong said the matter was discussed with Hun Sen when he and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visited Cambodia on Sept 15.

The Cambodian prime minister said he would help by getting a reduction of the jail terms they were sentenced to by the Phnom Penh Court. This would enable them to meet the requirement for seeking a royal pardon.

Steps must be taken before reaching that stage but it was unlikely to be too long before they were freed because Hun Sen had expressed his intention to help, said the foreign minister.

[Thai] FM: Cambodia to help Veera, Ratree [-Hun Xen to help the Yellow Shirt to please the Red Shirts?]

27/09/2011
Bangkok Post

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has shown an intention to help Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwankid and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon get a royal pardon, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said in New York on Tuesday.

Mr Surapong said the matter was raised for discussion with Hun Sen when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and he visited Cambodia on Sept 15.

He said the Cambodian prime minister said he would help by reducing the jail terms handed down on them by the Phnom Penh Court to enable them to finally meet a requirement to seek a royal pardon.

Steps must be taken before reaching that stage but it was unlikely to be too long before they were freed because Hun Sen had expressed his intention to help, said the foreign minister.

Hun Xen mulled the idea of exchanging Yellow Shirts Veera and Ratree behing closed doors?

Jail move not a precursor to early release

27/09/2011
King-Oua Laohong & Manop Thip-Osod
Bangkok Post

Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, two Thais in jail in Cambodia for spying, cannot be released early under prisoner exchange or prisoner transfer programmes, Justice Minister Pracha Promnok says.

Thailand and Cambodia do not have a prisoner exchange pact, only a transfer programme which allows each country to transfer inmates to serve their remaining jail terms in their homeland, Pol Gen Pracha said.

Under a prisoner transfer, he said, inmates can be sent home to serve out their terms if their transgressions do not concern national security. But they must serve one-third of the sentence first.

Veera and Ratree's cases do not match with these conditions, he said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen raised the exchange idea during informal talks with Defence Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa in Phnom Penh last week.

Jatuporn: Veera, Ratree will be freed [-Hun Xen's gift to Puea Thai?]

26/09/2011
Bangkok Post

Imprisoned Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon are likely to be granted royal pardons soon and be set free by the Cambodian government, Pheu Thai party list MP Jatuporn Prompan said on Monday.

Mr Jatuporn, a core member of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said that during his visit to Cambodia along with other MPs and red-shirt leaders for the weekend football match he heard that the Thai government had asked Cambodia to grant a royal pardon to Veera and Ratree.

The two are serving sentences in Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh after being found guilty of spying and illegal entry.