Bangkok: Thai prosecutors have dropped charges against the five-man crew of an aircraft carrying 35 tons of weapons from North Korea that was intercepted in Bangkok in December.
Thanaphit Mollaphruek, a spokesman from the Attorney General's Office, says the five men from Belraus and Kazakhstan will be deported to face prosecution in their home countries.
Thanaphit told reporters on Thursday the decision was partly made to maintain a good relationship with the two countries.
It was not immediately clear when the men would be deported.
Thai authorities seized the Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane on December 12 during a refuelling stop in Bangkok.
The ultimate destination of the arms remains unknown.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 11, 2010, 13:32