Cambodian Ung Kimthai was yesterday sentenced to two years and three months in prison by a Thai provincial court in Sisaket province on charges of being an accomplice to a spy.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Kuong said   yesterday that the 46-year-old native of Kandal province was arrested on June 7 and accused of assisting Ya Pao, a Cambodian national that the Thai court suspects of being a spy. Ya Pao has evaded authorities.

“We will wait for the decision from Ung Kimthai on whether he will appeal or not. Our consular officials are in close contact with him to provide legal assistance,” said Koy Kuong.

Ung Kimthai was arrested in Sisaket province along with a Vietnamese national and a Thai national, both of whom were charged with drug use as well as being accomplices to a spy. Ung Kimthai has denied all charges, saying he was merely a tourist.

The two other suspects have appeared in court on two previous occasions before yesterday, but were not sentenced due to the court citing lack of evidence.

“We have previously affirmed that it is not necessary for Cambodia to send someone to spy in Thailand,” said Koy Kuong.