Veera and Ratree not being freed: Cambodia

The Cambodian Foreign Ministry in a statement said the news reports that authorities in Phnom Penh would free Veera and Ratree as a gift for the official visit of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today were false and unfounded.

"The ministry wishes to reconfirm that the case of these two Thai nationals will be processed in accordance with the laws of Cambodia and that they will have to serve at least two-thirds of their prison term before a royal pardon could be considered," it said.

Veera and Ratree were arrested with five other Thais, including Democrat Party MP Panich Vikitsreth, on December 29 while inspecting a disputed border zone near Sa Kaew's Ban Nongchan area.

They are being held in Prey Sar Prison near Phnom Penh after being sentenced to eight and six years jail, respectively, on charges of espionage.However, a high-ranking Cambodian Cabinet source told Kom Chad Luek he's confident Veera and Ratree would soon be pardoned, though not now. He said Phnom Penh didn't want to be seen as applying different standards to two Thai governments.

Veera is the leader of the Thai Patriot Network (TPN). He is extremely anti- Thaksin Shinawatra and champions the protection of Thai territory from Cambodia's claims. He said Cambodians have occupied Thai soil in many locations along the border including the vicinity of Preah Vihear Temple.

Yingluck said she would raise the case of Veera and Ratree for discussion with her Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen to secure their early release. She has not yet received notification from Phnom Penh that the pair would be released on the same day she was in Cambodia.

It is up to authorities in Phnom Penh to decide on the fate of the two Thai activists, she said. "If they are really freed, I would be glad. It's my duty to take care of all Thais," she told reporters.

Government Spokeswoman Thitima Chaisang said the Thai Foreign Ministry confirmed there was no release of the two Thai nationals during the visit of Yingluck.

Chaiwat Sinsuwong, a member of the TPN, said it would be a big disgrace for the previous government under the Democrats' Abhisit Vejjajiva if Veera and Ratree really got freedom during or soon after Yingluck's visit to Cambodia.

 Abhisit had failed in several attempts over the past months to bring them back, he said.

THAI PATRIOT NETWORK 'DOES NOT OWE YINGLUCK ANYTHING'

However, the TPN did not owe Yingluck anything for the return of his nationalist comrades, he said.

"It would never change our stance and perspective on the national interest," said Chaiwat, who is an active member of the yellow shirts.

Suriyasai Katasila, coordinator of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, tweeted his gratitude to Yingluck's government for the efforts to help Veera and Ratree.

"If Veera and Ratree were really freed, the credit should go to this government," he said. "Life and freedom are the most important things."

TPN spokesman Soontorn Rakrong said the group would continue its mission to protect Thailand's territory and sovereignty regardless of which government was running the country or how it helped the group's activists.

"Veera and Ratree have sacrificed a lot for the country, and it is the government's responsibility to help Thai activists. Assistance to individuals does not mean we have to stop our activities. A reward for the benefit of individuals must not be paid at the cost of the national interest," he said.