Thailand returns four Cambodian prisoners

SA KAEO, Febuary 1 (TNA) - Thailand returned four Cambodian prisoners to their homeland for the first time today, believed to be in a bid to receive two Thai detainees in Cambodia, Veera Somkhwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaibul, back home in exchange. Sa Kaeo Deputy Governor Chat Kittinopadol sent back the four Cambodians, two males and two females, who were convicted for narcotics charges to the Cambodian Consulate in Aranyaprathet of Thailand's eastern Sa Kaeo Province bordering Cambodia. Cambodian Ambassador to Thailand You Ay and the Cambodian consul-general to Thailand received the four convicts who have served one-third of their jail terms in Thailand and wanted to return to their homeland. Sa Kaeo Prison chief Kittipatana Techapahun, meanwhile, denied that Thai authorities intentionally acted in a bid to receive the two Thai detainees in Cambodia back home, but the prison chief did not rule out the possibility that the Cambodian government could return the favor. (TNA)