C AMBODIA has formally requested that Thailand release 11 Cambodian fishery officials

jailed in southeast Thailand since Sep 23.

Cambodia's Ambassador to Thailand, Roland Eng, made the request on Dec 23. "I

met the Thai foreign minister and asked him to help to release our Cambodians in

the Thai jail in Trat province," he said.

Eng said the foreign minister will submit the proposal to the Thai Cabinet next week

to be debated.

He added that the Thai government has thus far cooperated well with the Cambodian

government.

Thai navy authorities seized the officials, who were out of uniform and armed, claiming

the Cambodians were in Thai territory. They were taken to prison after a brief firefight.