Three men arrested for spying near Thai-Cambodian border

[News_Editor]

Three men arrested for spying near Thai-Cambodian border

2011-06-11 02:00:05 GMT+7 (ICT)

BANGKOK (BNO NEWS) -- Three men were arrested by the Thai military for spying along the Thai-Cambodian border, MCOT Online news reported on Friday.

The three men - a Thai, a Vietnamese and a Cambodian - were arrested for spying on Thailand's military bases and bunkers for the local population in the border province of Si Sa Ket. They were detained at Phum Srol village on Tuesday while they were driving to find Thai military base locations and shelters for villagers in the province.

Pol Col Sompoj Khomprang, superintendent of Kantharalak district police station, said the arrest followed a military intelligence report that the three were driving around the province gathering information.

The three suspects were charged with espionage threatening Thailand's national security, while two of them also face additional charges of drug abuse. Both of them confessed to having used methamphetamine earlier, after testing positive.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the three men will be prosecuted in accord with the law after an investigation takes place. He said that the new case would proceed under the law, but he could not speculate on progress of talks with the Cambodian authorities on exchange of prisoners, to bring back two activists jailed in a Cambodian prison on espionage charges.

A Cambodian court on 1 February ruled that Veera Somkwamkid, Thai Patriots Network coordinator, and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon were guilty of espionage, illegal entry, and trespassing in a military zone. Somkwamkid was sentenced to an eight-year jail term and a 1.8 million riel (US$450) fine, while Pipattanapaiboon was handed a six-year jail term and a 1.2 million riel (US$300) fine.

Tensions first escalated between the two countries in July 2008 following the build-up of military forces near the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple. The United Nations Security Council urged both sides to establish a permanent ceasefire after at least 10 people were killed.

Clashes resumed in February as both nations claim the lands surrounding the ancient Hindu Temple, which has been damaged due to the conflict. The Preah Vihear temple dates back to the 11th century and is located on the Cambodian side of the border.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-11