Thai activist released after Cambodian King grants pardon

A Thai activist who was sentenced to eight years in jail on espionage charges in 2010, returned home Wednesday after Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni granted him pardon.

The pardon came during a two-day visit by acting Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Xinhua reported.

Activist Veera Somkwamkid left Phnom Penh with Sihasak for Bangkok.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen asked the king to grant a pardon to Somkwamkid following a request by Thai Army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, head of the National Council for Peace and Order.

Somkwamkid was arrested by Cambodian authorities in December 2010, along with six other Thai nationals, including a former Democrat Party Member of Parliament Panich Vikitsreth, after they illegally entered Cambodian territory to observe border demarcation process.

Five were freed just a month after the arrest, while Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon were convicted in February 2011 of unlawful entry into military base and espionage.

They were sentenced to six years and eight years in prison, respectively.

In February last year, King Sihamoni granted a royal pardon to Ratree.