FM seeks ways to help Thais jailed in Myanmar

BANGKOK, July 26 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seeking ways to assist Thai nationals who have now been sentenced to jail by the Myanmar court in Kawthaung town. Responding to updated reports that the Kawthaung court has sentenced 92 Thai people to three years and six months in jail for illegal immigration and encroachment, Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said Thursday that the Thai Embassy to Myanmar has sent its officials to Kawthaung to help the Thai people and the Myanmar court has not yet handed down its rulings on those who are also charged with illegal possession of weapons and narcotics. Surapong told journalists that it is easier to arrange for the return of the Thai detainees who are found guilty of encroachment and illegal immigration but it will be difficult to help those involved in weapon and narcotic cases, but Myanmar President Thein Sein has promised to help after legal procedures of the case finish. Regarding assistance for Thai people in Syria, the foreign minister acknowledged, meanwhile, that there were 40-50 Thai people in the violence-plagued Middle East country and 22 of them have sought their return to Thailand, 17 of them are students and the remaining five are married, but it is difficult to arrange for their flights now that air tickets are scarce and expensive there. (TNA)