PAD agonizes over Cambodian Court’s verdict against Weera, Ratree

BANGKOK, 1 February 2011 (NNT) – Supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) are in despair upon the Cambodian Court’s decision to hand down prison terms to two Thai detainees, alleged of illegal entry and espionage.

After the deliberation, the Cambodian Criminal Court sentenced Mr Weera Somkwamkid to 8 years in prison with a fine of 1.8 million riel and Ms Ratree Pipattanapaiboon to 6 years in prison with a fine of 1.2 million riel. The Court also ordered confiscation of cell phones, video camera, voice recorder and notebooks found upon their arrest.

However, both denied the charges of trespassing on the Cambodian territory and spying lodged against them while Ms Ratree admitted that she was the owner of the camera but was only using it to record the trip, not confidential details or operations of the Cambodian troops as accused. The two are allowed one month to seek an appeal against the ruling.

PAD demonstrators, who have been camping at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge, were reportedly in agony over the verdict and called on the Thai government to show responsibility for failing to protect Mr Weera and Ms Ratree. PAD Spokesperson Panthep Puapongpan expressed his disappointment with the result of the case as well as the Democrat-led government’s zero effort in helping the two detainees. He also disapproved of the Cambodian Court’s judgment, deeming it biased.

Nevertheless, the spokesperson insisted that the PAD would press ahead with the effort to bring to light the government’s indifference towards the issue. The group’s core leaders are scheduled to convene on 2 February to decide on their next move.