Government pledges to continue helping two Thais jailed in Cambodia
BANGKOK, Feb 2 -- Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Wednesday said he was disappointed that the Cambodian court handed down quite harsh sentences against two Thai citizens for illegal entry, trespassing into a military area and spying charges but the Thai government would continue helping them.
Mr Suthep said he believed the verdict would not affect bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries and urged the Yellow Shirt activists of the Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD) not to incite violence. Nonetheless, he said the government has no plan to disperse the protesters.
He also instructed officials to step up security at government offices including Government House, Parliament and the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday handed down an eight-year jail term and a 1.8 million riel (US$450) fine for Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator of Thai Patriots Network, and a six-year jail term and a 1.2 million riel (US$300) fine for his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon finding them both guilty of espionage, illegal entry and trespassing in a military zone.
The pair was told they can appeal within 30 days.
Mr Suthep said the legal procedures were not over yet as the pair could appeal and the Thai government would give full support to help them.
The verdict should not be drawn to intensify the rift between Thailand and Cambodia as Thailand should live with the neighbouring country peacefully, said the deputy prime minister.
As for the request for a possible royal pardon, Mr Suthep said it would depend on Mr Veera and Ms Ratree themselves to make such a decision, but if they decided so the government would facilitate and discuss it with Cambodian authorities.
He affirmed that the relations between Thailand and Cambodia are still at a level at which amends can be made.
The deputy prime minister commented as the PAD threatened to mobilise more supporters Saturday to step up pressure on ! the gove rnment to help free Mr Veera and Ms Ratree.
The PAD has encamped near Government House since Tuesday to protest the government's handling of the border disputes with Cambodia. (MCOT online news)
Mr Suthep said he believed the verdict would not affect bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries and urged the Yellow Shirt activists of the Peoples Alliance for Democracy (PAD) not to incite violence. Nonetheless, he said the government has no plan to disperse the protesters.
He also instructed officials to step up security at government offices including Government House, Parliament and the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday handed down an eight-year jail term and a 1.8 million riel (US$450) fine for Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator of Thai Patriots Network, and a six-year jail term and a 1.2 million riel (US$300) fine for his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon finding them both guilty of espionage, illegal entry and trespassing in a military zone.
The pair was told they can appeal within 30 days.
Mr Suthep said the legal procedures were not over yet as the pair could appeal and the Thai government would give full support to help them.
The verdict should not be drawn to intensify the rift between Thailand and Cambodia as Thailand should live with the neighbouring country peacefully, said the deputy prime minister.
As for the request for a possible royal pardon, Mr Suthep said it would depend on Mr Veera and Ms Ratree themselves to make such a decision, but if they decided so the government would facilitate and discuss it with Cambodian authorities.
He affirmed that the relations between Thailand and Cambodia are still at a level at which amends can be made.
The deputy prime minister commented as the PAD threatened to mobilise more supporters Saturday to step up pressure on ! the gove rnment to help free Mr Veera and Ms Ratree.
The PAD has encamped near Government House since Tuesday to protest the government's handling of the border disputes with Cambodia. (MCOT online news)
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