Veera's brother seeks PM's help

25 Mar, 2011
Source: Bangkok Post

A younger brother of Veera Somkwamkid, coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network jailed in Cambodia for spying, has sent a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva asking him to negotiate with Cambodia for Veera's release on a royal pardon before the House of Representatives is dissolved.

Preecha Somkwamkid, the brother, and Warisa Thong-ngern, a niece of Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, Veera's secretary, called on Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth at parliament on Friday and asked him to convey the letter to the prime minister.

Mr Preecha said his family would try in every way to get Veera's freedom, including seeking help from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was briefly an adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He said he visited Veera at the Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh on March 21, foundthat his brother's health had improved, physically and mentally.

Mr Panich said he would accompany the families of Veera and Ratree on a visit to the prison on March 30 in his capacity as a government representative and a friend.

He would explain how the government would try to help them.

Veera, Ratree and Mr Panich were among the seven Thais who were arrested by Cambodian soldiers for illegal entry on Dec 29.

Mr Panich and four others were sentenced to nine months in jail for illegal entry. They were freed after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court suspended the remaining jail term.

Veera and Ratree were additionally charged with spying and were later sentenced to eight and six years respectively by the court.