Political activist Veera Somkhwamkid was released from a Cambodian prison yesterday evening after receiving a royal pardon from Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni. He had spent more than three years in jail.
Foreign permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow, right, shakes hands with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during his official two-day visit to Cambodia.
The royal pardon was granted during a two-day visit to Cambodia by Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow, the Phnom Penh Post reported, quoting a Cambodian prime minister’s spokesman.
Mr Sihasak delivered the pardon request from National Council for Peace and Order leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha to the Cambodian government during his visit to discuss migrant worker regulations, the spokesman, Eang Sophalleth said.
“Veera was released by a royal pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni and will accompany Sihasak and his delegation back to Thailand,” Eang Sophalleth said yesterday.
Veera and Thai Patriots Network activist Ratree Pipattanapaiboon were arrested along with five other Thais, including former Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, on Dec 29, 2010 while inspecting a disputed border area near Sa Kaeo's Ban Nongchan village.
Veera and Ratree were sentenced to eight and six years in jail respectively for illegal entry, spying and entering a restricted military zone without permission. Ratree was released early last year.
Veera's pardon came with another request from Prime Minister Hun Sen that the Thai junta release 14 Cambodian migrant workers jailed earlier this month after they were caught with fake visas, according to the newspaper.
Mr Sihasak said Veera's case was raised for discussion at the request of Gen Prayuth, who asked Cambodia to take a humanitarian approach when looking at the case and take into consideration the ties between the two countries. Thailand did not intend to interfere with the Cambodian judicial system, he said.
Some of Veera's family members, including his wife, Pis-umphai, headed for the Cambodian capital yesterday shortly after his release was announced. He is scheduled to arrive in Thailand at 11.25am today on Bangkok Airways flight PG 932.
Earlier yesterday, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said he was satisfied with Thailand’s proposed measures to regulate migrant workers after a one-hour meeting with Mr Sihasak.
Mr Sihasak travelled to Phnom Penh after thousands of Cambodian workers fled Thailand amid rumours of a crackdown.
“Cambodia understands the current administration wants to maintain law and order in general, and not target Cambodian workers,” Hor Namhong said.
Mr Sihasak said Thailand recognised the need for migrant workers from neighbouring countries who have helped develop the economy. Thailand has no crackdown policy against migrant labour but needs regulations to help workers obtain benefits and to protect them from human traffickers, he said.