Reports on Thaksin's move to help Thai detainees in Cambodia dismissed

BANGKOK, April 17 (TNA) - Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has denied his acknowledgment about reports that exiled ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has asked Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to help two detained Thai political activists in Cambodia, Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaibul. Surapong told reporters today that he, however, would discuss the help with his Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong, who is also Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra may also raise the issue when she meets her Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen in Japan during the forthcoming summit of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). Surapong insisted that the government will certainly assist the two Thai nationals, saying that, regarding Cambodia’s proposal for prisoner exchange, the Thai administration is studying the possibility and the Thai ambassador to Cambodia is coordinating the issue with Phnom Penh. According to the Thai foreign minister, Cambodia has insisted that Veera and Ratree need to serve one-third of their jail terms first and Thaksin did not meet Hun Sen for his personal interest, but for national and public interest, as Thaksin has been recognized by many countries and has mainly held talks overseas for Thailand's benefits. In response to Thaksin’s remarks that he would return to Thailand within 3-4 months, the incumbent foreign minister acknowledged that the return would be possible if national reconciliation was achieved, asking Thai people to forgive and forget about conflicts for the sake of national development. The foreign minister pointed out that other countries appear to be now confident in Thai politics and democracy, assuring that justice would be served when Thaksin returned to Thailand. The minister indicated that Thaksin was a political victim, and that an amnesty bill, would be proposed to the Thai Cabinet in the near future and should be passed within 3-4 months, with recommendations from Kanit Na Nakorn, chair of the government-appointed Truth for Reconciliation Commission of Thailand, to be taken into consideration. (TNA)