PHNOM PENH, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday that his government had decided to release a Thai " yellow-shirt" activist Veera Somkwamkid at the request of Thai army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, head of the National Council for Peace and Order.
Hun Sen made the remarks at a meeting with visiting Thai Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
"At the request of Gen. Chan-ocha, Prime Minister Hun Sen told Sihasak that Somkwamkid was freed after Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni signed a royal pardon today (Tuesday)," Eang Sophalleth, personal spokesman for Hun Sen, told reporters after the meeting.
He said Somkwamkid will fly to Thailand with Sihasak on Wednesday.
Somkwamkid was arrested by Cambodian authorities on Dec. 29, 2010, along with six other Thais including a former Democrat Party Member of Parliament Panich Vikitsreth, after they illegally entered Cambodian territory to observe border demarcation process.
Five Thais in the group were freed a month after the arrest, while Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon were convicted on Feb. 1, 2011 of unlawful entry into military base and espionage, and sentenced to six years and eight years in prison, respectively.
In February last year, King Norodom Sihamoni granted a royal pardon to Ratree Pipatanapaiboon on the occasion of the cremation of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
Sihasak arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday morning for a two-day visit to discuss ways to further promote bilateral ties and cooperation.
Cambodia frees Thai spy at request of Thai army chief | Shanghai Daily
Hun Sen made the remarks at a meeting with visiting Thai Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow.
"At the request of Gen. Chan-ocha, Prime Minister Hun Sen told Sihasak that Somkwamkid was freed after Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni signed a royal pardon today (Tuesday)," Eang Sophalleth, personal spokesman for Hun Sen, told reporters after the meeting.
He said Somkwamkid will fly to Thailand with Sihasak on Wednesday.
Somkwamkid was arrested by Cambodian authorities on Dec. 29, 2010, along with six other Thais including a former Democrat Party Member of Parliament Panich Vikitsreth, after they illegally entered Cambodian territory to observe border demarcation process.
Five Thais in the group were freed a month after the arrest, while Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon were convicted on Feb. 1, 2011 of unlawful entry into military base and espionage, and sentenced to six years and eight years in prison, respectively.
In February last year, King Norodom Sihamoni granted a royal pardon to Ratree Pipatanapaiboon on the occasion of the cremation of late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.
Sihasak arrived in Cambodia on Tuesday morning for a two-day visit to discuss ways to further promote bilateral ties and cooperation.
Cambodia frees Thai spy at request of Thai army chief | Shanghai Daily
