Cambodian court grants bail for two of seven Thais including MP Panich

MCOT online news
13 Jan, 2011

BANGKOK -- The Cambodian court hearing the cases of the seven Thais charged with trespass on Thursday morning granted bail for two of the detainees including Democrat lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth, MP for Bangkok following last month's border incident, according to Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

However, they were released with the provison that they not return to Bangkok, pending their trial, he said.

Mr Chavanond told the media he was informed by the legal team for the detained Thais that at about 10am, the court allowed Mr Panich and Naruemol Chitwaratana of the People’s Network Against Corruption and Santi Asoke networks, to be temporary freed under bail.

The court posted three conditions for their release: they must stay in Cambodia, not leave the country, and they have to give 1 million Cambodian riels (about Bt10,000) each as bail bond.
The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh advanced the funds, and the two detainees must be ready to appear at court upon the summon, said Mr Chavanond.

Mr Panich and Ms Naruemol now stay at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, he said, adding that the other five were believed to be under the consideration of the court whether to grant bail or not.

Mr Chavanond said the bail for Mr Panich and Ms Naruemol was considered a positive sign and the authorities would do their best to help release all seven Thais as soon as possible.

The seven were arrested Dec 29 by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and are now detained in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar Prison.

The detainees face two initial charges -- illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, with possible punishment of three to six months jail and deportation, and also trespass into a Cambodian military zone, punishable by three to six months jail and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines.

But Mr Veera Somkwamkid, leader of the Thai Patriots Network, and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon face added spying charges on top of illegal entry and trespassing into a Cambodian military area already heard.

The government prosecutor alleged that the duo had gathered security information that could pose a severe threat to Cambodian security.