Exchange of Thai and Cambodian citizens fails

[Lourens]

By: SURACHAI PIRAGSA
Published: 17/02/2009 at 12:00 AM in the Bangkok Post

BURI RAM : Thai and Cambodian security officials have failed to make progress in talks to exchange each other's nationals arrested for illegal entry along the poorly-defined border.

Talks over an exchange began after security authorities from the two countries agreed to try to secure the release of their citizens, officials said yesterday.

On Saturday, a combined Cambodian team arrested Suk Yadee and Withoon Samran in the forest along the Thai-Cambodia border opposite Surin's Kap Choeng district.

The two Thai villagers were looking for wild products when they were arrested.

They were charged with illegal entry and carrying weapons into Cambodia. They have been reportedly sent for trial at a Siem Reap court.

On the same day , police in Buri Ram's Ban Kruat district arrested Choeng Sid, 31, and Jon Mon, 22, two Cambodians, near the Bantad mountain range in Ban Huay Suk in tambon Nong Mai Ngam in Ban Kruat district.

Police said they had seized an electric chainsaw as evidence.

The two were charged with cutting down protected trees and illegal entry into the country.The two Cambodians were sent for trial to the provincial court in Buri Ram's Nang Rong district.