Thai FM Surapong Tovichakchaikul (L) met with Cambodian FM Hor Noamhong in Cambodia.PHNOM PENH, Dec 29 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, minister of foreign affairs, reiterated on Thursday that there will be no royal pardon for the two Thai "Yellow-Shirt" activists jailed here for espionage until they have served two thirds of their jail term.
His remarks were made after visiting Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul asked him to consider to reduce the jail term or to give royal amnesty by Cambodia's King to the pair.
"According to Cambodia's law, a prisoner must be jailed at least two thirds of his jail term before being considered for royal pardon from the King," Hor Namhong told reporters in a joint press briefing after the meeting.
However, he said that it is possible to release the two Thai spies earlier if the government of Thailand has a request to Cambodia for a meeting "to exchange prisoners as package."
Surapong thanked the government of Cambodia for giving good care to the two Thai detainees in the Prey Sar prison on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.
The two "Yellow Shirt" Thais 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 February 1, convicted Veera and Ratree of illegal entry, unlawful entry into a military base and espionage and sentenced them to 8 years and 6 years in jail respectively.
Veera and Ratree were arrested on December 29, 2011, along with five others including Democrat Party Member of Parliament Panich Vikitsreth, after they illegally entered Cambodian territory to observe the border demarcation process.
The five were released in late January after a Cambodian court suspended their sentences of nine months in jail. (Xinhua)
His remarks were made after visiting Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul asked him to consider to reduce the jail term or to give royal amnesty by Cambodia's King to the pair.
"According to Cambodia's law, a prisoner must be jailed at least two thirds of his jail term before being considered for royal pardon from the King," Hor Namhong told reporters in a joint press briefing after the meeting.
However, he said that it is possible to release the two Thai spies earlier if the government of Thailand has a request to Cambodia for a meeting "to exchange prisoners as package."
Surapong thanked the government of Cambodia for giving good care to the two Thai detainees in the Prey Sar prison on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.
The two "Yellow Shirt" Thais 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 February 1, convicted Veera and Ratree of illegal entry, unlawful entry into a military base and espionage and sentenced them to 8 years and 6 years in jail respectively.
Veera and Ratree were arrested on December 29, 2011, along with five others including Democrat Party Member of Parliament Panich Vikitsreth, after they illegally entered Cambodian territory to observe the border demarcation process.
The five were released in late January after a Cambodian court suspended their sentences of nine months in jail. (Xinhua)
2 comments:
Look at the body language. The Thai bow down slightly to Hor Nam Hong. This is a sign of respect from the Thai. This is also a sign of negotiation would favor Cambodia due to the confident in body language of Hor Nam Hong.
Keep in mind, these gestures are done unconsciously and subconsciously and not pretending acts.
The Siam may bark how superior they are toward khmer, but subconsciously , they are inferior.
Correction: delete unconsciously. That would make him a dead guy
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