Police detained Veera Somkhwamkid and filed eight charges against him when he arrived back in Thailand on Wednesday after being released from prison in Cambodia
Veera Somkhwamkid, centre, is whisked away by police after he returned to Bangkok on Wednesday. (Photo by Thanaak Khoonton)He was released from prison on Tuesday, after receiving a royal pardon, having served over three years of a seven-year sentence following a conviction for espionage after illegally entering Cambodia.
Pol Col Somkiat Tantakanokporn said the CSD pressed charges of obstructing aviation and seven other accounts in relation to his taking part in a rally by the People's Alliance for Democracy tthat occupied Don Mueang and Suvarnvabhumi airports during a protest to oust the government led by then-prime minister Somchai Wongsawat of the People's Power Party in 2008.
He could face death penalty if he is convicted on the aviation obstruction charge.
He was released on 100,000 baht bail.
Mr Veera was ordered to report to police for further investigation on July 9, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang said.
The leading member of the Thai Patriots Network thanked army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha and other officials for their efforts to secure his release, but refused to give details of his life behind bars at Prey Sar prison in the Cambodian capital.
Mr Veera said before leaving the police office that he will continue his political activities after getting treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.
He was released from Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh on Tuesday after a royal pardon was granted during the visit to Phnom Penh by permanent secretary for foreign affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow. He arrived back in his company on the plane on Wednesday.
He was arrested on Dec 29, 2010, by Cambodian soldiers after illegally crossing the border to Cambodia from Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo province. Additional charges were tyhen filed against hiim, including espionage, Ratree Pipattanapaiboon and four others Thais were also arrested at the same time.
Mr Veera had previously been arrested in Cambodia for illegal entry during a protest, warned not to repeat the offence, and deported.
He was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison in February 2011.
Meanwhile, the Justice Minisry has agreed to release 14 Cambodian citizens arrested and detained in Sa Kaeo province for using fake passports to enter Thailand to work, at the request of the Cambodian government, permanent secretary for justice Chanchao Chaiyanukij said.
He denied it was part of an exchange deal for Mr Veera
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