Lawyer submits bail request for detained Thai engineer

BANGKOK, Nov 23 (TNA) – A lawyer for the detained Thai engineer in Cambodia on Monday submitted a request for bail for his client after a detention of nearly two weeks in a Cambodian prison on espionage charges, while the Thai Ministry of Justice said it will seek extradition to bring the Thai citizen to trial in his homeland if he is found guilty.

Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS) employee Siwarak Chutipong, 31, was arrested on spying charges on November 12 when he was discovered releasing fugitive ex-Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s flight schedule to a Thai embassy official in Phnom Penh.

Cambodian authorities filed charges against Mr Siwarak, accusing him of acquiring secret information which affects Cambodia's national security.

A Thai News Agency (TNA) reporter reported from Phnom Penh that Mr Siwar?k's Cambodian lawyer Kao Sopha had submitted a bail request to the Cambodian court Monday morning.

The TNA reporter however said there is no indication whether the bail request will proceed and reporters are not allowed to observe legal procedures in the court.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Mr Siwarak’s mother will visit him this week and officials from the justice ministry will visit him Monday and coordinate with Cambodia to assist him.

The deputy permanent secretary for justice and the director general of the Rights and Liberties Protection Department on Monday will meet Mr Siwarak and will ask to meet the Cambodian justice minister to review legal issues and processes, said Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, adding that Mr Siwarak will receive justice from Cambodia in accordance with international law.

The Thai justice minister said he believed Mr Siwarak was innocent, but if found guilty, Thailand will request for his extradition to bring him to trial at home. (TNA)