Two Cambodians jailed for almost a month in Thailand after being caught illegally crossing the border, allegedly to log timber, were repatriated yesterday.

Van Nang, 35, and Bin Chhuon, 32, of Preah Vihear province, were handed over by Thai authorities through Oddar Meanchey’s Chaom-Sa Ngaom international border crossing at 1pm, said the checkpoint’s deputy director, Touch Ra.

The pair was arrested by Thai soldiers on October 27, a day after crossing into Thailand with several more men. “They crossed the border to log timber and were arrested together,” Touch said.

“Because they were arrested without any timber or evidence on them they were only slightly punished and charged with illegal border crossing instead.”

Oddar Meanchey provincial police officer Sun Kong said Thailand regularly repatriates Cambodians caught illegally crossing the border, sometimes up to 50 a month.