Thai detainees to be sent to Myanmar court

BANGKOK, July 21 (TNA) - Thai officials said Saturday that 92 Thai nationals who have been detained in Myanmar since early this month for alleged land encroachment are expected to be sent to court next week. The officials told reporters they have been informed by Myanmar authorities that an official investigation on the 92 Thai detainees has been complete and the Thai people may be sent to court for trial by July 27, and that, initially, the 92 Thai detainees will likely be charged with entering Myanmar illegally and encroaching a Myanmar forest. According to the Thai officials, the Myanmar court is expected to rule on the case in the same day and it is also expected that each of the Thai detainee will receive a six-month imprisonment, which is similar to a previous verdict imposed on three Thai intruders in 2009. The 92 Thai people were arrested by Myanmar authorities on July 4 after they had gone into the area to plant rubber trees, opposite Kra Buri district in Thailand's southern Ranong province. Meanwhile, Thailand's Tepsatree Task Force officers warned Thai people not to go to the area, as Myanmar security officers have patrolled the Thai-Myanmar border to prevent villagers from entering their country illegally. (TNA)