Thais Seeking Return of Three Nationals: Report

Thursday, 16 December 2010
Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh

Photo: AP Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva

Thailand is seeking the return of three nationals arrested in Cambodia and sentenced to 18 months in prison for illegal entry and unlawful possession of weapons earlier this year, the Bangkok Post reported Thursday.

However, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Cambodia has not yet received an official request.

The three suspects—Lan Sapsri, 53, Lim Puangpet, 39, and Sanong Wongcharoen, 36—all from Thailand’s Surin province, were arrested in August in Oddar Meanchey province.

They were sentenced to 18 months in prison and a $250 fine in Siem Reap provincial court last week.

The Post quoted Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as saying this week his foreign minister was looking into the arrests and seeking a way to bring them back.

Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesman Koy Kuong said no such request had come through diplomatic channels. However, he said, Cambodia was seeking the return of four of its own nationals.

Both sides have traditionally seen a number of cross-border arrests. In August 2009, they agreed to send respective nationals back across the border to serve out their time in home prisons.