Three Cambodian illegal loggers arrested more than a year ago in Thailand were released by the Thai authorities yesterday, and returned to their home country, officials said.

A Chaom Sangam border-crossing officer in Oddar Meanchey, who asked to remain anonymous, said the three men were arrested in September 2012, when they were crossing back to Cambodia with their timber.

“They were arrested by Thai soldiers when they were dragging the luxury wood,” he said. “Two live in Oddar Meanchey and another in Preah Sihanouk province,” The officer was not sure of how many Cambodians are currently incarcerated in Thailand for illegal logging.