Thailand to negotiate for reduction of jail terms of Thais jailed in Myanmar

The Foreign Ministry is likely to negotiate with the Myanmar authorities to reduce the sentences and eventually pardon the Thai man and Thai woman jailed for 18 and 15 years respectively on drug charges.

Deputy Spokesman Sek Wannamethee said Chumphon native Thanom Jansamut, 52, and Kalaya Thawo, 49, from Surat Thani, were among the 92 Thai people arrested in July for illegal entry, encroaching on Myanmar territory and clearing land opposite Ranong.

Eightythree of the Thais found guilty of illegal entry and encroachment on a Myanmar forest and sentenced to the jail terms of three and a half years have been pardoned but nine individuals remain in jail. Besides the pair facing additional jail terms for drug charges, seven Thais received harsher, sevenyear sentences for possessing military weapons.

Sek said that Thanom would serve a total of 28 years and six months in prison while Kalaya would serve 18 years and six months. He said Thai officials were asking to visit the Thai inmates again at Koh Song prison.