THAI embassy officials paid a visit on Friday to a Thai national recently convicted of planting land mines on the Cambodian side of the border, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

“We allowed one Thai embassy official to visit a Thai prisoner,” said spokesman Chhum Socheat.

“It’s a normal visit, about 30 minutes, and the Thai official just provided some gifts such as noodles and fruits to the prisoner.”

Suphap Vong Pakna was sentenced to 20 years in prison this month after the Military Court in Phnom Penh found him guilty of laying mines in Oddar Meanchey province. Suphap claimed Thai soldiers paid him to plant the mines.

Sam Sokong, the man’s court-appointed Cambodian lawyer, said he knew nothing of the visit but planned to meet with Suphap Friday to discuss a possible appeal.