(Updated) Veera is finally free

(Updated) Political activist Veera Somkhwamkid has been released from detention twice in two days, once from a Cambodian prison and once by Thai police on 100,000-baht bail.

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Noon update

16:45

Veera Somkwamkid has now been released from detention twice in two days. The first release, of course, was from Presor prison in Cambodia where he had spent more than 3.5 years serving a sentence for illegal entry and spying. Then, on his return to Bangkok this morning, he was taken by Thai police to the Crime Suppression department where he was read 8 charges against him relating to his role in People's Alliance for Democracy's protests back in 2008, particularly the occupation of airports. He was then released on 100,000 baht bail. Thus, tonight, he can sleep as a free man in his home country for the first time in almost four years.

15:55: Reports are coming in that Mr Veera has been freed on 100,000 baht bail.

Not free yet: Veera returns home to Thailand, but its taken away by police

Veera Somkhwamkid arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport on schedule and was seen exiting the airport amid a large crowd of people who turned up to give him moral support. He was immediately turned over to Crime Suppression police, however, and taken to hear charges related to the People Alliance for Democracy's (PAD) occupation of Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports in 2008.

Mr Veera was accompanied by lawyer Nithithorn Lamlua who says he will apply for Mr Veera's release on bail.

Morning story

Royal pardon sets Veera free

Thanida Tansubhapol

Political activist Veera Somkhwamkid was released from a Cambodian prison yesterday evening after receiving a royal pardon from Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni. He had spent more than three years in jail.

The royal pardon was granted during a two-day visit to Cambodia by Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow, the Phnom Penh Post reported, quoting a Cambodian prime minister’s spokesman.

Mr Sihasak delivered the pardon request from National Council for Peace and Order leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha to the Cambodian government during his visit to discuss migrant worker regulations, the spokesman, Eang Sophalleth said.

Veera and Thai Patriots Network activist Ratree Pipattanapaiboon were arrested along with five other Thais, including former Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth, on Dec 29, 2010 while inspecting a disputed border area near Sa Kaeo's Ban Nongchan village.

Veera and Ratree were sentenced to eight and six years in jail respectively for illegal entry, spying and entering a restricted military zone without permission. Ratree was released early last year.

Veera's pardon came with another request from Prime Minister Hun Sen that the Thai junta release 14 Cambodian migrant workers jailed earlier this month after they were caught with fake visas, according to the newspaper.

Mr Sihasak said Veera's case was raised for discussion at the request of Gen Prayuth, who asked Cambodia to take a humanitarian approach when looking at the case and take into consideration the ties between the two countries. Thailand did not intend to interfere with the Cambodian judicial system, he said.

Some of Veera's family members, including his wife, Pis-umphai, headed for the Cambodian capital yesterday shortly after his release was announced. He is scheduled to arrive in Thailand at 11.25am today on Bangkok Airways flight PG 932.

Earlier yesterday, Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong said he was satisfied with Thailand’s proposed measures to regulate migrant workers after a one-hour meeting with Mr Sihasak.

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