BANGKOK, 14 June 2011 – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has reaffirmed that the apprehension of three suspected spies from Cambodia, comprising a Cambodian, a Vietnamese and a Thai, by Thai officers in the kingdom is not fabricated.
Prime Minister Abhisit stated that information gained from the investigative process would be used to support Thailand’s clarifications on the issue to the international community. He added that the Thai-Cambodian border remains peaceful after the three spies were apprehended on Thai soils.
In response to the issue, Cambodian authorities have accused the Thai side of cooking up the spy claim.
The Thai prime minister hence countered the accusation by questioning Cambodia why its consulate tried to contact the Thai side for the release of the three suspects on the first day of arrest.
Regarding a possible exchange of the three spies with two Thai inmates now detained in Prey Sar Prison in Cambodia, Prime Minister Abhisit said the suspects must firstly go through court procedures, and the Cambodian side must respect the Thai judiciary.
Thai Patriots Network coordinator Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon have been sentenced to eight and six years in prison respectively for illegal entry, trespassing in to military zone and espionage.
