Thais charged with spying appear in Cambodia court

Two Thais have appeared in a Cambodian court for the first time since being charged with spying, for which they could be jailed for up to 10 years.

A lawyer for Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon said they were in court Wednesday to hear the charges and be questioned by a judge. Veera heads a political pressure group, the Thailand Patriot Network, that claims that border territory held by Cambodia actually belongs to Thailand.

The two were among seven Thais, including a lawmaker from the ruling Democrat Party, who were arrested on Dec. 29 after allegedly crossing illegally into Cambodia. All seven have been charged with illegal entry and trespassing in a military zone, for which they could be jailed up to one year.