Myanmar asks govt to release prisoners

U Tin Win sent the formal request to
Foreign Minister Surapong
Towichukchaikul on December 6.
Most Myanmar nationals serving time in
Thai prisons were convicted of illegal
migration. Many were trafficked into
Thailand.
About 1,500 Myanmar nationals are
imprisoned in Thailand for murder and
drug offences. Serious drugdealing
offences carry the death penalty.
The Kingdom transfers inmates serving
long sentences to their country of origin
after eight years in prison, provided they
exhibit good behaviour. However,
previous governments in Myanmar failed
to lobby for their citizens' release.