Govt works to help free trio who crossed border

via Khmer NZ

Published: 22/08/2010

SURIN : Thai authorities are working to secure the release of three Thais arrested for straying on to Cambodian territory near the border in Surin.

MOTHERLY CONCERN: Lum Wongcharoen, 67, foreground, the mother of one of three Thais arrested on Wednesday for straying into Cambodian territory near the border with Surin. Mrs Lum appealed to Thai authorities to step up efforts to secure their release.PHOTO: NOPPARAT KINGKAEO

The three villagers from Surin's Sangkha district who were arrested on Wednesday by Cambodian soldiers are Sanong Wongcharoen, Lim Puangpet, and Lan Sapsri.

They were reportedly hunting and gathering wild fruit in the forest on the border near Surin when they wandered on to the Cambodian side of the border and were arrested by patrol officers.

The three are reportedly awaiting trial in a Siem Reap jail.

Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said he believed securing the prompt release of the three would not be difficult as such incidents were common on both sides of the divide.

Surin governor Rapee Pongbuppakit said he has written to the governor of Siem Reap to request the release of the three Thais.

Lum Wongcharoen, 67, Mr Sanong's mother, was concerned about her son's safety and has appealed to authorities to negotiate for the release of her son and his two friends.

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to the foreign minister, said yesterday the Foreign Ministry was working with the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh to find out exactly where the three were being held.

He denied speculation that they were being held hostage and said that the arrest had no bearing on formal relations between the two countries.

Mr Chavanond said the ministry was stepping up its efforts to secure their release and to ensure that the issue does not escalate into a major conflict between the two countries.