PHNOM PENH / The Cambodian government has rejected Thailand's request to ask King Norodom Sihamoni to grant a royal pardon to the two members of the Thai Patriots Network jailed in Cambodia for espionage, Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong says.
``According to Cambodian law, whoever is convicted of a crime, he or she has to serve two-thirds of jail term before dhbeing considered for a royal pardon,'' Hor Namhong told dhreporters yesterday at Phnom Penh International Airport before leaving for border meetings with Thailand in Indonesia.

``So they [the two Thais] have not met the qualification for royal amnesty,'' he added.

His remarks, quoted by the Xinhua news agency were later confirmed by Panich Vikitsreth, a Democrat MP.

Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon are now being detained at Prey Sar prison on the outskirts of Phnom Penh.

Thai ambassador to Cambodia Prasas Prasasvinitchai submitted an official letter to the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 16 asking for a royal pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni for the two dhdetained Thais.

Ratree: Still in Prey Sar prison

In Bangkok, Wilaiwan, Veera's mother, said she did not expect the pardon request to be vetoed.

`` I feel so disappointed and have no more ideas to help my son,'' she said.

Mrs Wilaiwan had gone to meet Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to obtain help for her son about a month ago but little progress has been made.

On Monday she sought help from  the Puea Thai Party.

`` Now I pin my hopes on Khun Thaksin [Shinawatra],'' she said.

Veera's younger brother Preecha said he would visit Veera tomorrow if the Cambodian government permitted him.

Mr Preecha said he hoped the matter would be raised at the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission talks in Indonesia.