Eight Thais arrested to Myanmar to appear in court
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Eight Thais arrested in Myanmar in July were taken to court on Wednesday to face charge of possessing war weapons, a crime with a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail.
An informed source said the Myanmar authorities informed a Thai coordination official based in Ranong province about the trial and said that the court was expected to deliver the verdict on Wednesday afternoon.
A total of 92 Thais were arrested on July 4 in Myanmar’s Koh Song area, opposite Ranong’s Kra Buri district, for allegedly encroaching into Myanmar territory and farming there without a permit. Some of them had in their possession war weapons while others were found planting marijuana.
The eight are Somchai Sawathee, 45, of Krabi, Pinit Arunayu, 49 of Ranong, Seksan Wongkasa, 40, Nipon Tippakdee, 60, both of Surat Thanai; Sanguan Kladsang, 53, Somporn Kladsaeng, 29, both of Prachub Khiri Khan; Winai Siriwat, 53, of Nakhon Si Thammarat and Kamtawee (surname unknown), 52, of Chumphon.
The same source said that two other Thais, who are to be charged with drug offences, will appear before the court on Thursday. The maximum penalty in their case is 30 years in prison.
Relatives of the eight Thais came to the coordination office in Ranong on Wednesday upon learning about the trial. They wanted to go across the border and attend the trial but their request was rejected because they did not ask for permission in advance. They were allowed to wait for the verdict at the coordination office.
