Thein Sein pardons 83 Thais
Myanmar President Thein Sein has pardoned 83 of the 92 Thais detained since they were rounded up on July 4, as part of the release of 514 convicts nationwide.
A local Myanmar court had sentenced all 92 villagers – 82 men and 10 women – to three and one half years in jail for entering the country illegally and cutting down forests. Eight of the Thais also received a seven-year jail term for possessing military weapons without a permit.
Two Thais, including one man already charged with weapons possession, are facing trial for drug-related offences.
Colonel Pornsak Poonsawat, chairman of the Thailand-Myanmar Township Border Committee for Ranong-Kaw Thaung, said yesterday that the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon had sent him a report that Thein Sein had signed a pardon for 83 Thais charged with illegal entry and land encroachment.
They would be freed later that day, while the nine Thais charged with possession of illegal drugs and weapons would continue to be held in custody.
Pornsak led a group of families to Kao Mile Prison to visit the 92 Thais from 9am to noon, as allowed by Myanmar authorities.
Eiam Jitrapirom, 70, the mother-in-law of Prasert Thepsiri, said he was arrested while working on a rubber plantation in Myanmar territory and his family was in dire straits, as he was the breadwinner.
Sanit Sukjit, the wife of Pornsil, said her husband was nabbed while working on a rubber plantation. After she heard about the pardon, she was overwhelmed with joy because nothing is more important than having the whole family together again, she added.
