Verdict for eight Thais in Myanmar could take 2 weeks
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The trial in Myanmar of eight Thais charged with possessing war weapons was scheduled to finish yesterday, but the verdict could take two weeks to be handed down.
Sek Wannamethee, deputy spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry, said yesterday that two other Thais facing drug charges would appear before another court on the same day for witnesses to testify.
The maximum imprisonment for possessing military weapons is 20 years and for drugs 30 years.
The eight suspects are among 92 Thais, including 10 women, rounded up at Koh Song or Victoria Point in Myanmar opposite Ranong on July 4 for allegedly encroaching on Myanmar soil to raise crops including marijuana without a permit.
The weapons and drugs charges were added later in certain cases.
Relatives of the eight Thais gathered at the coordination office in Ranong on Wednesday after learning about the trial. They wanted to cross the border and attend the hearing 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.
The suspects maintained they were misled by a broker into clearing land for a rubber plantation and only later found out that the site was beyond the authorised zone for Thais to use.
In a courtesy call on Myanmar President Thein Sein on Wednesday, Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat discussed the plight of the 92 Thai detainees and requested that they be released and repatriated.
The Myanmar leader promised to look into the matter, the Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said.
Ranong military authorities warned the relatives of the 92 Thais not to be duped by some people claiming to know high-ranking Myanmar officials and promising to help get their loved ones released for Bt1 million in payment.
