January 12, 2011
By Piyanart Srivalo
Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Detained yellow-shirt activists Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary face a new trial over charges of espionage, which could have them facing severe punishment in Cambodia, while the Thai government faces more difficulties in trying to help.
The Cabinet okayed a budget of more than Bt500 million for preparing the military to protect the border, as yellow-shirt activists mount further pressure on the government to help their detained colleagues.
Only Veera, who is leader of a People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) faction called the Thailand Patriots Network, and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, will be tried today, while the other five Thai nationals, including Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, await court decision on their bail request.
"The additional charge faced by Veera and Ratree is causing more difficulty for the government to seek ways to help them," Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, the foreign minister's secretary, said.
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