Tearful mum flies to Cambodia

Published: 7/12/2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

A tearful Simarak Na Nakhon Phanom, the mother of accused Thai spy Sivarak Chutipong, flew to Phnom Penh on Monday morning, admitting before she left she was having trouble sleeping because of worries about tomorrow's court verdict.

Mr Sivarak, 31, an employee of Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), was arrested on Nov 12 on charges of stealing state secrets, flight information of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra when he visited Phnom Pehn, and passing it to a Thai diplomat.

The alleged spy is being held in Prey Sar prison.

The Cambodian court will give its verdict on the case on Tuesday. Mr Sivarak could receive up to 15 years in jail if convicted.

"Today, I'm taking a picture of His Majesty the King with me and I'll ask the [Cambodian government] to allow me to meet my son again," Simarak said with tears in her eyes. "I have not prepared anything yet, as I'll have to wait for the court's verdict."

The worried mum said she would meet with all sides if her son was found guilty. Her son's new Cambodian defence lawyer Khieu Sambou would decide whether to seek a royal pardon.

Puea Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the opposition party had given Mrs Simarak letters from former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and Thaksin's lawyer Noppadon Pattama asking Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to take Thai-Cambodian ties into consideration.