Cambodian court grants bail request by four Thai detainees, but not key activist

PHNOM PENH, Jan 18 (MCOT online news) - The Cambodian Court of Appeals on Tuesday granted the bail petition by another four Thais detained in Phnom Penh for trespassing charges, except for Veera Somkwamkid, a coordinator of the Thai Patriots Network, who is still being held in Prey Sar prison.

Apart from trespassing charges, Mr Veera is also charged with espionage.

The court said Mr Veera could seek bail at the Supreme Court.

The four temporarily released on Tuesday were 2nd Lt Samdin Lertbutr, Tainae Mungmajon, Kitchaponthorn Chusanasevi and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon who has also been charged with espionage.

Mr Veera told reporters upon leaving the court that he was the sole detainee denied bail, but that he would fight to the end.

The Cambodian court on Friday rejected earlier bail bids for five Thais detained in Phnom Penh after granting bail for Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth and Naruemol Chitwaratana of the People’s Network Against Corruption and Santi Asoke networks on Thursday.

The conditions were that they remained in Cambodia and were ready to report to authorities when summoned.

The four who were temporarily freed on Tuesday also have the same conditions.

The seven were arrested Dec 29 by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Banteay Meanchey province.

They faced two initial charges -- illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, with possible punishment of three to six months jail and deportation, and also trespass on a Cambodian military zone, punishable by three to six months jail and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines, while the spying charges could result in five to 10 year imprisonment.