via CAAI
BANGKOK, Jan 10 – The Thai Patriots Network on Monday submitted a letter to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the UN office in Bangkok seeking assistance for seven Thais detained in Cambodia.
Chaiwat Sinsuwong led activists from the Thai Patriots Network to the world body’s Bangkok regional headquarters to present the letter to the UN Secretary-General.
Mr Chaiwat said that that matter was of concern to the UN because the area where the seven were arrested was used by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to accommodate Cambodian refugees in 1975 after asking for permission from Thailand.
After the UNHCR moved out, some Cambodians have continued to live there. Accordingly, Thailand believes the arrest of the seven Thais is in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, Mr Chaiwat said, arguing that the Cambodian court has no authority to rule in the case but must send it to an international body for adjudication.
The network called on the UN to help the seven detainees, he said, adding that he believed the letter would reach the UN secretary-general on Tuesday and the group's overseas members will follow up on the reaction from the world body.
The seven Thais, including Democrat MP for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth and Thai Patriots Network leader Veera Somkwamkid, were arrested by Cambodian soldiers Dec 29 as they inspected the border area in Sakaeo province.
The detainees face two charges -- one of illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, punishable by three to six months of imprisonment and deportation, while the other involved trespass into a Cambodian military area without permission, punishable by a three to six months jail term and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines. (MCOT online news)
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