Ratree to be welcomed by family

Relatives of Thai border protester Ratree Pipattanapaibul have travelled to Phnom Penh to welcome her back to freedom when she is released from prison today.

Ratree's family reached Phnom Penh on Wednesday to await her release, scheduled for 4pm today.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Manasvi Srisodapol said the Cambodian Foreign Ministry and Corrections Department have both confirmed that Ratree would definitely be freed today.

Cambodian officials will hold a ceremony to announce the royal pardon for Ratree at Prey Sar Prison. Once Ratree signs her name to acknowledge the royal clemency, she will be released to her relatives.

Ratree, detained in Cambodia for more than two years on charges of illegal entry and espionage, will first be taken to the Thai embassy before heading to the airport to depart from Phnom Penh at 8.40pm on Thai Airways flight TG585, which lands at Suvarnabhumi at 9.45pm.