Thailand frees four Cambodian prisoners

News Desk
Rasmei Kampuchea Daily
Publication Date : 02-02-2012

Thailand has extradited four Cambodian prisoners to Cambodia, fueling speculation that an exchange of prisoners may be in the offing.

Chat Kittinoppadon, deputy governor of Sa Kaeo province in east Thailand, and Sa Kaeo Provincial Prison Commander Kittipat Dechapahun witnessed the handover of the two men and two women along with Cambodian ambassador to Thailand You Aye, the Thai News Agency reported Wednesday.

Kittipat was quoted as saying that the extradition was handled normally, without a hidden agenda. Some have speculated that the transfer of the Cambodian prisoners may lead to the release of two Thai activists who were put behind bars in Phnom Penh, and that they may be handed over to Thai authorities.

The provincial police commander said the release of Veera Somkwamkid, a leader of the People's Network against Corruption and a high-profile activist in the Thai Patriots Network, and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, depends on Cambodia.

During a visit to Phnom Penh in December, the Thai foreign minister failed to secure the release of the two Thai prisoners.

The release of the four Cambodian prisoners Wednesday "can be a good gesture by Thailand in order to convince Cambodia to free Veera Somkwakid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon," a political analyst said.

Veera and Ratree were arrested on Dec 29, 2010, along with five other Thais, including then Democrat Party lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth, after illegally entering Cambodia.

The five were released in late January last year after a court suspended their sentences of nine months in jail. The following month, however, a court ruled that Veera and Ratree were guilty of espionage, illegal entry, and trespassing in a military zone.

Veera was sentenced to an eight-year jail term and fined 1.8 million riel (US$450) and Ratree was handed a six-year jail term and a fine of 1.2 million riel ($300).