The Cambodian court's sentence imposed on yellow-shirt activist Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon was harsh but all sides must accept it, Deputy Prime Minister overseeing security Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday morning.Mr Suthep said he did not want to criticise the Phnom Penh Municipal Court's ruling yesterday.
"The case is not yet over and they [Mr Veera and Ms Ratree] can still file an appeal.
"All sides have to respect the verdict and refrain from inciting conflict between the two countries," he said.
The pair and their families will decide whether they would seek a royal pardon when the case is final, he said.
The deputy premier said he believed Thai-Cambodian relations can still be amended despite Cambodia's refusal to remove its national flag hoisted in the disputed border area near Preah Vihear temple.
He denied claims the government plans to disperse the protest rally by the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) outside Government House. The government will prevent the protesters from inconveniencing other people.
The government will not allow protesters to set fires at state offices of Thailand or Cambodia, Mr Suthep said.
The Cambodian court on Monday evening sentenced Thai Patriots Network (TPN) coordinator Veera Somkhwamkid to eight years in prison and Ms Ratree to six years on espionage and illegal entry charges.
The court fined Mr Veera 1.8 million riel (about 14,000 baht) and Ms Ratree 1.2 million riel (about 10,000 baht).
They have the right to appeal within 30 days.
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