[Thai] PM: [Thai] Government not avoiding helping Veera, Ratree

BANGKOK, March 3 (MCOT online news) – Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday defended his government’s action after being criticised for failure to provide sufficient help to two Thailand Patriots Network activists jailed in a Cambodian prison on espionage charges, saying that it is now coordinating with the detainees and their families to decide the next move.

The Thai premier made his remarks attempting to clarify the matter to the House of Representatives after the government was blamed for being negligent or even purposely ignoring giving help to free Veera Somkwamkid, Thai Patriots Network coordinator, and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon.

A Cambodian court on Feb 1 ruled that the duo were guilty of espionage, illegal entry, and trespassing in a military zone. Mr Veera was sentenced to an eight-year jail term and a 1.8 million riel (US$450) fine while Ms Ratree was handed a six-year jail term and a 1.2 million riel (US$300) fine. An appeal could be filed within 30 days.

Mr Abhisit explained that there are only two solutions left; appealing the court verdict or asking for royal pardon, but the problem is , he said, that the two detainees have two legal teams which have different approaches to fighting the case.

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