Four Thais detained in Cambodia for alleged illegal entry [Lucky they are not shot dead, many Cambodians were shot dead by crossing toThailand]

SA KAEO, March 26 – Four Thais have been detained in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey for alleged illegal entering into the neighbouring country. The case is due to be filed in court late Monday.

The four are identified as Saran Panphet and Suriya Panphet, both 42, who are Sa Kaeo natives, as well as their mining contractors and assistants-- Bai Sodachan and his wife, Ms Wanwisa, both aged 24.

The four were detained while driving two pick-up trucks to survey a mine in Cambodian territory, nine kilometres from the Thai-Cambodian border.

Pol Lt-Col Benchapol Rodsawat, deputy superintendent of immigration police in Sa Kaeo, said he learned from Cambodian officials that on March 24, the four contacted Cambodian border police to bring mining equipment and power generator to enter Cambodia at the Bungtakuan-Taphraya border crossing for mining survey in Cambodia’s Udon Meechai province.

They were later detained by Cambodian soldiers as they carried no travel documents and charged with illegal entry.

Pol Lt-Col Benchapol said that he was informed by Cambodian officials that the case of the four Thai nationals is being filed to the Sisophon court late Monday.

The Thai authorities are working with their Cambodian counterparts to quickly help the four detainees, according to Pol Lt-Col Benchapol. (MCOT online news)