Panich plans Prey Sar prison return to visit Veera, Ratree

29/03/2011
Bangkok Post

Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, who along with six other Thais was convicted in January of illegal entry into Cambodia, is planning to visit the two who remain jailed in Phnom Penh.

Panich: Spent month in Phnom Penh jail

Mr Panich, an MP for Bangkok, and four others were released from Prey Sar prison by the Phnom Penh Municipality in January after being handed suspended sentences.

But Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkhwamkid and his secretary, Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, were convicted of further charges of espionage and jailed for eight and six years, respectively.

Pending approval from the Cambodian government, Mr Panich, who spent a month in the prison while awaiting judgement, will accompany relatives of Veera and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon on the trip to Phnom Penh.

They will make the trip immediately after receiving this approval.

"I am waiting for a reply from the Cambodian government as to whether they will allow me and the detainees' relatives to visit Veera and Ratree at the prison," said Mr Panich.

The MP asked the Foreign Ministry last Thursday to send a document seeking permission for the visit from the Cambodian government.

"I really want to meet [Veera and Ratree]," said Mr Panich.

"I will tell them that neither I nor the government have ever ignored them and we intend to help them return to Thailand as soon as possible."

Meanwhile, Veera's mother, Wilaiwan, repeated her call for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to help her son before the general election.

"The prime minister promised to help my son," said Mrs Wilaiwan.

"That's why I want the case to be solved within this government's tenure."

The Phnom Penh Municipality court on Jan 21 handed nine-month terms to Mr Panich and four others for illegally entering Cambodia on Dec 29.

They had all served almost one month and the court suspended the remaining eight, allowing the five Thais to be released from prison and to travel home. They also each paid fines of 1 million riel, or about 10,000 baht.Veera and Ratree's judgements followed on Feb 1 and they have both since applied for a royal pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni.