Myanmar Navy Fires on Thai Fishing Boats in Thai Waters, Seizing Two Vessels

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A dramatic confrontation unfolded in the Andaman Sea as three Myanmar navy vessels opened fire on a group of Thai fishing boats operating within Thai territorial waters, approximately five nautical miles west of Koh Phayam. Amid the chaos, two Thai fishing boats were seized, and their crews narrowly escaped with their lives. Authorities have launched diplomatic protests and negotiations to address the incident.

 

The Ranong Marine Security Command Center (RMSCC) reported that the attack occurred early on November 30, when a fleet of approximately 50 Thai fishing vessels was laying nets in Thai waters. Three Myanmar navy ships suddenly approached and began firing at the boats. The fishing crews were forced to abandon their nets and flee towards Koh Phayam, where two Thai naval patrol boats, T.274 and T.993, were stationed.

 

Two Thai fishing boats, Duang Thawee Phon 333 and Sor Charoen Chai 8, failed to escape and were boarded by the Myanmar navy. Some of their crews leapt into the sea and were later rescued by nearby fishing boats. Unfortunately one crew member was pulled dead from the water and had drown. 

 

The vessels were seized and towed back into Myanmar waters near Kawthaung, it is believed that a number of crews members were also still on the boats and are being detained.

 

A third Thai boat, Maha Lap Thanawat 4, was also targeted. The vessel’s captain, 47-year-old Sri Phet Buttat, displayed remarkable skill in evading capture. Despite sustaining a gunshot wound to the head, Sri Phet managed to steer his boat to safety, enduring heavy gunfire described as “a rain of bullets.” A crew member also suffered an electric shock while attempting to escape. Both were rescued and transported to Ranong Hospital for treatment.

 

At 00:30, Thai naval patrol boat T.274 received an emergency call and rendezvoused with the fishing boat near Koh Phayam at 13:15. The injured crew members were transferred to shore and received immediate medical attention. Sri Phet, with a head wound wrapped in gauze, recounted his harrowing experience, saying, “They fired continuously at my cabin. I couldn’t even raise my head, if I did, it would have been blown off.”

 

The fishing crews, while relieved to have survived, lamented the loss of their valuable equipment. Many had to abandon their black fishing nets, worth hundreds of thousands of baht, during the escape. The incident occurred during peak fishing season for mackerel, attracting fleets from nearby Phang Nga province to waters near Myanmar’s border.

 

The Thai-Myanmar Maritime Border Coordination Centre is currently investigating the incident and has lodged a formal protest with Myanmar authorities. Historically, relations between Ranong province and Myanmar’s Kawthaung region have been amicable, making the attack a surprising escalation. Officials are seeking explanations for the Myanmar navy’s actions and the return of the seized vessels.

 

This incident highlights the dangers faced by Thai fishermen working near disputed maritime boundaries and underscores the need for stronger measures to ensure their safety. Negotiations between the two nations are ongoing.

 

-- 2024-12-01

 

 

[watchcat]

  On 11/30/2024 at 8:08 PM, Georgealbert said:

Unfortunately one crew member was pulled dead from the water and had drown. 

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Murder!

[JoePai]

Now where's that sub when you need it   😂

[Tropicalevo]

And Thailand is supporting this illegal military regime that has invaded it's waters, stolen boats and kidnapped its own people.

Shame on you Thailand.

[thesetat2013]

In any normal country. I wold think This would be considered an act of war. But Thailand can not support any military actions except rescue and attacking its own people for political purposes. 

[AAArdvark]

  On 12/1/2024 at 1:39 AM, JoePai said:

Now where's that sub when you need it   😂

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Who needs a submarine when a strong protest will save the day. 

[cardinalblue]

The main issue of dispute will be whose waters were the Thai fishing boats were in?

 

of course Thais will say the boats were in Thai waters…now that will need to be verified or proven wrong by Burma as well as what is the appropriate action to take if they were given civilians were involved 

[hotchilli]

  On 12/1/2024 at 1:39 AM, JoePai said:

Now where's that sub when you need it   😂

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Still in a shipyard in China while negotiations take place.

[hotchilli]

  On 11/30/2024 at 8:08 PM, Georgealbert said:

Officials are seeking explanations for the Myanmar navy’s actions and the return of the seized vessels.

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  On 11/30/2024 at 8:08 PM, Georgealbert said:

The vessels were seized and towed back into Myanmar waters near Kawthaung, it is believed that a number of crews members were also still on the boats and are being detained.

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And any detained crew of course.

[kwaussie]

Even in disputed waters what justification is there in trying to kill defenceless fisherman trying to make a living!

[neeray]

Something smells awfully fishy here. 

[Hawaiian]

  On 12/1/2024 at 1:56 AM, Tropicalevo said:

And Thailand is supporting this illegal military regime that has invaded it's waters, stolen boats and kidnapped its own people.

Shame on you Thailand.

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If Thailand does nothing but file a protest, this will happen again and possibly the price will be more than one death and two fishing boats.

[arick]

Did CP group supply the bullets to Mynamar Navy?

[Dcheech]

  On 11/30/2024 at 8:08 PM, Georgealbert said:

group of Thai fishing boats operating within Thai territorial waters, approximately five nautical miles west of Koh Phayam.

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"FIFTY" Thai fishing boats and if the GPS is off a bit, a misunderstanding can occur. Unfortunate that. West of Koh Phayam more than five nautical miles, does put them in Burmese waters. Given the Burma boats were there and primed for action, that Thai fishing fleet has been here before.  Might be the last tine though. 

[Mbaki]

  On 12/1/2024 at 10:54 PM, Hawaiian said:

If Thailand does nothing but file a protest, this will happen again and possibly the price will be more than one death and two fishing boats.

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The first course of action for any civilized country is a formal protest and investigation on how this came about.

Diplomacy should then be used in negotiations for the return of the Thai citizens and equipment, then recognition of borders so that the fishermen can return safely to their livelihoods. Hopefully this can be de-escalated before any military action is required.

[captnhoy]

I previously lived in Ranong on my own liveaboard boat. The only time I ever saw 50 Thai fishing boats at one time was at the waterfront, The actual borderline at sea is non existent. Local lore said that Thai waters were depleted of fish and the Ranong fleet had bribed heavily to fish Burmese waters, It's hard to imagine Thai boats respecting a boundary. I remember a day years ago when a Thai fleet "fled Indonesian waters" and docked at the "Multipurpose Port" in Ranong. They were painting over the boat names on the stern and a convoy of refrigerated trucks arrived to unload the catch.

[Gknrd]

I thought the Chinese were doing this, is it spreading?

[Tarteso]

"Of course you know, this means war" !

[Sydebolle]

Well, the official understanding of the Myanmar government was cleared - again - as of 24 February 2022. The very same happens all over their beautiful country against their own people and the whole world is watching. 

Throw out the Myanmar ambassador, withdraw the Thai ambassador "for consultations" back to Bangkok and close all the Eastern borders of Myanmar with Thailand. Make sure the Thai governmental PR desk is making enough noise. 

Scope of this would be to draw the attention to the genocide the Myanmar army (navy and air force as well) is undertaking; the whole world knows and does absolutely nothing as most governments are headed by a prime selection of selfish incapable clowns. 

Make enough noise now; Thailand has all the tools, the ability and would earn quite some respect resulting - possibly - in turning off the electricity feeding the Myanmar army's desperate need for light! 

[willip]

  On 12/1/2024 at 11:43 PM, captnhoy said:

I previously lived in Ranong on my own liveaboard boat. The only time I ever saw 50 Thai fishing boats at one time was at the waterfront, The actual borderline at sea is non existent. Local lore said that Thai waters were depleted of fish and the Ranong fleet had bribed heavily to fish Burmese waters, It's hard to imagine Thai boats respecting a boundary. I remember a day years ago when a Thai fleet "fled Indonesian waters" and docked at the "Multipurpose Port" in Ranong. They were painting over the boat names on the stern and a convoy of refrigerated trucks arrived to unload the catch.

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No surprise here then! Just another touch of corruption 

[Ironmike]

So what is Taksin doing about this???? More then likely still packing his personal bank account with more millions from the Thai treasury before he makes another escape to dubai. 

[soalbundy]

  On 12/1/2024 at 11:46 PM, Tarteso said:

"Of course you know, this means war" !

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A war of words more likely.

[nobodysfriend]

  On 11/30/2024 at 8:08 PM, Georgealbert said:

Three Myanmar navy ships suddenly approached and began firing at the boats.

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  On 11/30/2024 at 8:08 PM, Georgealbert said:

Sri Phet managed to steer his boat to safety, enduring heavy gunfire described as “a rain of bullets.

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Thailand need to avoid being dragged into an armed conflict with Myanmar .

Cut all diplomatic relations to the murderous Myanmar junta would be better .

Gem Min Aung Hlung , the butcher of his own people , will soon have an ICC arrest warrant against him issued .

He is a war criminal just as the other " Leaders " who are facing arrest when traveling to a country that recognizes the ICC as the superior instance to judge international crimes .

[essex boys]

And the Thai navy done nothing….probably outnumbered that’s why they didn’t respond, had the Thai navy had 20 ships and 10,000 men it might have responded, they don’t like an even fight

[Frankie baby]

Looks like the Thai fishermen payed the wrong Burmese official off.

[spidermike007]

The Burmese armed forces are completely insane, homicidal, genocidal, and now they are under extreme pressure from their own people, who are fighting back with a vengeance. If it were not for the ill considered, completely illogical, and poorly conceived foreign aid coming from Japan, Myanmar would have likely collapsed already. Thailand has also been complicit, and has aided the evil, malicious Tatmadaw, and that will remain a boil on the history of this country, for decades to come. Drastic retaliation should happen for this undisciplined act of violence, yet it won't, because the govt. here has no spine, and is morally bankrupt. 

‍

Statement calling on the Japanese government to stop ODA and publicly-funded projects benefiting the Myanmar military. 

‍

More than two years and ten months have passed since the failed coup by the Myanmar military. The military continues to commit serious human rights abuses amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity. At least 4,192 people including pro-democracy activists and civilians have been confirmed killed by the military as of November 21, 2023. Among those protesting the attempted seizure of power by force by the military, a total of 25,425 people have been arrested. Across Myanmar, 2 million people are estimated to be internally displaced as of November 10, including 1.7 million currently displaced by clashes and insecurity since the coup.

 

By 2020, the Japanese government provided JPY 356.518 billion in total in grant aid as well as JPY 109.94 billion in total in technical assistance to Myanmar, and promised JPY 1,378.47 billion in loan aid (figure based on loan agreements).  After the failed coup, then Foreign Minister Motegi made the following statement regarding these Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Myanmar on May 21, 2021: “If the situation continues in this way, it is possible that we will be compelled to review ODA and that companies may become unable to provide investment even if they want to.” However, since then, despite the worsening human rights crisis in Myanmar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs have simply repeated that it would “comprehensively consider what measures may be effective while viewing the situation of the efforts made by Japan and the international community”. 

 

https://www.justiceformyanmar.org/press-releases/statement-calling-on-the-japanese-government-to-stop-oda-and-publicly-funded-projects-benefiting-the-myanmar-military

 

 

 

 

[Sig]

With corruption so rife on all sides, it sure is difficult to know what to believe in this story, re legalities of their fishing. But, firing on civilian boats like that is insane. A human being DIED... was murdered. Not that the Thai or Burmese government cares. Also, the equipment lost is a massive tragedy for those fishermen. Hard to know though... they may have deserved to lose their equipment. But a life taken is not any kind of justice whatsoever, if they were in Burmese waters.
The criminals who run the country of Burma are deeply evil, on a whole different tier than the criminals who run Thailand. As far as I'm concerned, every Burmese government official part of the military and every military member, should be put to death. And every other government official should suffer penalties for supporting the genocidal sub-humans running that government. Thailand is disgusting in their support of Burma as well. Not to mention China, without whose support Burma wouldn't be able to do what they do, AT ALL. Others, like Japan also acting so despicable. The UN and ASEAN are COMPLETELY useless as they standby and watch that nation descend into such misery.
My hope is that it can be proven that the fishermen were actually in Thai waters... not a whole lot of confidence in that, but that sure would be nice and then take serious action against Burma and get the fishermen compensated, plus a good amount for what they went through.

[khunpin]

  On 12/1/2024 at 10:25 PM, cardinalblue said:

" ... verified or proven wrong by Burma  ... "

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By whom? Burma? Who is that supposed to be? 🤔 

[10baht]

  On 12/1/2024 at 10:28 PM, hotchilli said:

Still in a shipyard in China while negotiations take place.

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Are these under the table negotiations?

[Srikcir]

  On 12/1/2024 at 10:25 PM, cardinalblue said:

The main issue of dispute will be whose waters were the Thai fishing boats were in?

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5 nm is within the 12 nm limit.