Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid (left) and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon (File Photo)
Published: 14/09/2011
Bangkok Post
Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon may possibly be released and allowed to return home when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra makes an official visit to Cambodia on Thursday, Mr Veera's younger brother said on Wednesday.
Preecha Somkwamkid said he learned from a news report from Cambodia that preparations had been made by Cambodian authorities to release his brother and Ratree.
According to the report, the two might return home with Ms Yingluck's entourage, Mr Preecha said.
He said his relatives were trying to confirm the report. If it was true, they would themselves go to Cambodia to welcome them and bring them home.
It was reported that Cambodia might free the two Thai Patriots Network members now that relations between the two countries have improved and that it would be a gift to Ms Yingluck to mark her first official visit.
It was also reported that the Thai Foreign Ministry had been informed of this.
However, the Thai prime minister said she had no knowledge of the matter.
The two yellow-shirt supporters are serving jail sentences in Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh.
Ms Yingluck said there was no coordination on the issue between authorities of the two countries and any decision on their release rests with the Cambodian government.
"There will be a discussion during my visit about ways Mr Veera and Ms Ratree could be released," she said.
The prime minister said her first visit to Cambodia is aimed at restoring the good relationship between the two countries.
She called on all parties not to link her trip to the planned visit to Cambodia by her elder brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, starting on Friday.
Her brother's trip was his personal affair, she said.
Ms Yingluck said there will be no discussion of sensitive issues, particularly cooperation on energy.
Veera and Ratree were among the seven Thais arrested by Cambodian authorities for illegal entry in late December last year.
Five of them have been released after being sentenced to a jail term for illegal entry and having served some time during the investigation.
However, Veera and his secretary were sentenced to eight and six years in prison respectively for illegal entry and an additional charge of espionage. Veera had previously been deported for illegal entry and warned not to do it again.
Published: 14/09/2011
Bangkok Post
Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon may possibly be released and allowed to return home when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra makes an official visit to Cambodia on Thursday, Mr Veera's younger brother said on Wednesday.
Preecha Somkwamkid said he learned from a news report from Cambodia that preparations had been made by Cambodian authorities to release his brother and Ratree.
According to the report, the two might return home with Ms Yingluck's entourage, Mr Preecha said.
He said his relatives were trying to confirm the report. If it was true, they would themselves go to Cambodia to welcome them and bring them home.
It was reported that Cambodia might free the two Thai Patriots Network members now that relations between the two countries have improved and that it would be a gift to Ms Yingluck to mark her first official visit.
It was also reported that the Thai Foreign Ministry had been informed of this.
However, the Thai prime minister said she had no knowledge of the matter.
The two yellow-shirt supporters are serving jail sentences in Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh.
Ms Yingluck said there was no coordination on the issue between authorities of the two countries and any decision on their release rests with the Cambodian government.
"There will be a discussion during my visit about ways Mr Veera and Ms Ratree could be released," she said.
The prime minister said her first visit to Cambodia is aimed at restoring the good relationship between the two countries.
She called on all parties not to link her trip to the planned visit to Cambodia by her elder brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, starting on Friday.
Her brother's trip was his personal affair, she said.
Ms Yingluck said there will be no discussion of sensitive issues, particularly cooperation on energy.
Veera and Ratree were among the seven Thais arrested by Cambodian authorities for illegal entry in late December last year.
Five of them have been released after being sentenced to a jail term for illegal entry and having served some time during the investigation.
However, Veera and his secretary were sentenced to eight and six years in prison respectively for illegal entry and an additional charge of espionage. Veera had previously been deported for illegal entry and warned not to do it again.
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