Thailand urges swift release of citizens detained by Myanmar

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

By Bright Choomanee

 

Thailand urged Myanmar’s ambassador to urgently work for the release of four Thai citizens who are currently detained in Myanmar, following an incident in which their fishing boat was fired upon by Myanmar naval ships off the coast of Ranong last week.

 

Piyapak Sricharoen, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs, met with Myanmar’s ambassador to Thailand, U Chit Swe, who expressed his regret over the incident.

 

According to Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, the Myanmar ambassador agreed to raise the issue with his government in Nay Pyi Taw. Minister Maris assured the public that Thailand is doing everything possible to secure the release of the Thai crew members.

 

Minister Maris further shared that he had personally reached out to Than Swe, Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister, via text, calling for a transparent investigation into the incident. Than Swe assured his full support for a comprehensive inquiry.

 

In addition, the Thai ambassador in Yangon has been instructed to travel to Nay Pyi Taw to discuss the matter with Myanmar’s Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “We will continue to engage Myanmar through all available diplomatic channels to ensure the safe return of the four Thai nationals,” Minister Maris said.

 

 

The incident occurred on November 30 when Thai fishing boats strayed into Myanmar’s waters, about 6 to 7 kilometres off the Thai coast. During the confrontation, one fisherman drowned after jumping into the sea.

 

A total of 31 crew members, including four Thai citizens, were detained by Myanmar officials. A Thai national and a Myanmar citizen are being treated at a hospital in Ranong following the incident.

 

Thai officials have issued a warning to vessels operating near the Thai-Myanmar border to exercise caution. The incident has also reignited tensions over illegal fishing practices and maritime boundary disputes in the Andaman Sea.

 

Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed that a local border coordination committee from both countries has begun discussions to resolve the issue. Phumtham emphasized that all actions must follow diplomatic protocols and stated that the Thai military is fully committed to addressing the matter, reported Bangkok Post.

 

The fishing boats involved were not armed, which raises questions about the excessive response from Myanmar’s navy, according to officials.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-12-03

 

 

[Tropicalevo]

But Thailand, why would Burma shoot at your vessels and kidnap your citizens?

You are their friend.

You help their generals to launder their drug money and you send innocent refugees back to Burma to be conscripted.

 

(Note - there maybe a hint of sarcasm in the above comment.)

[lordgrinz]

6 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The incident has also reignited tensions over illegal fishing practices and maritime boundary disputes in the Andaman Sea.

 

Yup, best to stay out of another countries boundaries, even if the fishing there makes you think it's worth the risk.

[bradiston]

And what of the 27 non Thai fishermen working as slaves presumably on the Thai boat? 31 seems a large crew for a fishing boat.

[hotchilli]

Maybe the Thai boats had dodgy GPS's

[spidermike007]

Within the framework of most civilized societies, when a fishing boat crosses a sea border it would typically be escorted back out into Thai waters. Instead the maniacal, homicidal, serial killing armed forces of Burma open up fire on Thailand. No normal civilized society behaves like that.  Thailand is acting as if this is just business as usual, with their local partner in crime. Shameful. Pathetic. Who is the foreign minister, and why is he sleeping on the job? 

[bkk6060]

Why dont they send a submarine as protection?

[lordgrinz]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Within the framework of most civilized societies, when a fishing boat crosses a sea border it would typically be escorted back out into Thai waters. Instead the maniacal, homicidal, serial killing armed forces of Burma open up fire on Thailand. No normal civilized society behaves like that.  Thailand is acting as if this is just business as usual, with their local partner in crime. Shameful. Pathetic. Who is the foreign minister, and why is he sleeping on the job? 

 

If they are ordered to stop, and they don't, they are fired upon.

[paul1804]

The trigger happy Burmese up to their usual antics, no need to open fire on the Thai boats, either escort them back to their own waters if in fact they weren't already and if they we're illegally fishing in Burmese waters take the boats and negotiate a release. Thailand is up to their filthy ears in shananigans with the Burmese Junta so maybe there were some breakdowns in negotiations so the Burmese thought they would stir things up! I wonder which neighbouring country gave them the ammunition used, china, India, Thailand or maybe it was Russian!!!

Edited 4 hours ago by paul1804