TWO young Hong Kong women languishing in a Bangkok jail have begged the British Government to lobby for their release, after two British women were freed last month.
They, like the youngest of the English women, were both 17 when they were arrested for drug trafficking and given long prison sentences.
But they complain - more in sadness than in anger - that the British Prime Minister, John Major, has not pressed the Thai Government for their early release.
Michelle Tse Hoi-man, now 19, told the South China Morning Post: ''We are still British even if we are Hong Kong people.'' Michelle's father is now hoping that a plea for a royal pardon may be forthcoming after a request from the British Embassy, but he fears his chances are slim.
Stephen Tse Kwok-yau said last night: ''We thought there could be better treatment for Westerners. We are not sure that Asians would get the same treatment. That to me is wrong. We are only little citizens. We can't do anything.'' The parallels with the case of the British women, Patricia Cahill and Karyn Smith, are striking. All four are teenagers and all originally claimed to have been set up.
Having heard that Mr Major intervened on behalf of Smith and Cahill, Mr Tse plans to write to Governor Chris Patten seeking similar support.