Myanmar may free Thai drug duo

Myanmar may free Thai drug duo

RANONG - Two Thais serving jail terms in Myanmar for drug possession are expected to be given an amnesty, a Myanmar official said on Saturday.

Pol Maj Rolan, chief of the anti-human trafficking centre in Kawthaung, said President Thein Sein had been requested to reduce the sentences and grant amnesty to Thanom Chansamut and Kalaya Tawo.

The two were among 92 Thais arrested last July. All the others were released after serving jail terms for illegal entry and arms possession before being granted amnesty by the Myanmar government.

Both of the prisoners are healthy and were being treated well inside the prison, said Pol Maj Rolan, who was in Ranong to escort some Myanmar suspects who had fled to Thailand back to their country.

Thanom, 52, a Chumphon native, and Kalaya, 49, from Surat Thani, were also found guilty of drug possession. The Myanmar court reportedly sentenced Kalaya to 28 years in prison and Thanom to 25 years.

Col Uthit Anantanont, the deputy chairman of the Thai-Myanmar Township Border Committee, had told Thai News Agency that there were no signs of leniency for the two Thais. Thai authorities are monitoring the issue, he added.

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