December 29, 2015

Thailand asks Myanmar to contain protests

The Foreign Ministry has asked the Myanmar government to contain protests against the death sentence in the Koh Tao murder trial as demonstrators again gathered at a border crossing into Kanchanaburi province on Monday.

The ministry sent the request through the Myanmar ambassador to Thailand and the Myanmar foreign ministry, asking Myanmar to contain protests which were spreading beyond Yangon, Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said on Monday morning.

Asked to comment on the request by Myanmar's army chief Min Aung Hlaing that Thailand review the death sentence passed on two Myanmar citizens, Mr Don said it would have no effect. No country would halt the justice process midway through.

The case could still go to the appellate court, the foreign minister said.

Mr Don also said that with large numbers of people now demonstrating, it was impossible to identify the intentions of all of them. However, some demonstrations appeared to be unusually organised.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also said on Monday an appeal was possible.

Thailand had its laws and Myanmar had asked that the case to be handled strictly in accordance with the justice system, he said. (Courtesy of Mizzima)

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