Seven captured Thais trespass into Cambodia accidentally

BANGKOK, Jan 9 — Seven Thai citizens taken into custody by Cambodian soldiers late last month did not intend to intrude into Cambodia, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in his Sunday broadcast, but he affirmed the government is doing everything possible to help the detainees.

He said that his government’s actions to bring the seven home will not negatively impact Thailand’s sovereignty.

Speaking during his weekly TV and radio address, Mr Abhisit urged Thais throughout the country to give moral support to the seven Thais arrested Dec 29, saying that they had no intention to intrude into Cambodia as they were there only to inspect earlier complaints by Thai villagers that they were unable to cultivate their farmland although they had land title deeds.

“It was found from the full video clip that the captured people intended to inspect land claimed to own by the villagers and to see the No. 46 border marker in Thailand. However, they were arrested before they reached the area,” Mr Abhisit said.

The seven Thais, including MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth from the ruling Democrat Party and Thai Patriots Network leader Veera Somkwamkid, were arrested by Cambodian soldiers as they inspected the border area in Sakeo province.

The court in Phnom Penh finished the first hearings for all seven detainees late Thursday. The detainees face two charges — one of illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, punishable by three to six months of imprisonment and deportation, while the other involved trespass into a Cambodian military area without permission, punishable by a three to six months jail term and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines.

No date has been set for the court ruling.

Mr Abhisit affirmed it is his government’s responsibility to assist the detainees to help them return home as soon as possible as they had no intention to commit a mistake.

Regarding government assistance, he said it would neither affect the sovereignty or rights of each country while the government would not sit idly in relation to border problems between the two countries and the problems would be resolved after the situation has eased. (MCOT online news)