Four Thai nationals safe after Myanmar sea detainment

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

By Bright Choomanee

 

Four Thai nationals detained in Myanmar are reportedly safe after their boat allegedly entered Myanmar waters in the Andaman Sea over the weekend. The government reported this information yesterday, December 3, following an incident where Myanmar navy vessels reportedly opened fire on some of the 15 Thai fishing boats that strayed 6 to 7 kilometres into Myanmar waters on November 30.

 

During the incident, a tragic loss occurred as one fisherman drowned after jumping into the sea. Some 31 crew members, including the four Thais, were subsequently detained by the Myanmar officials.

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reached out with an official communication regarding the situation.

 

“We have received confirmation that all four Thais are safe,” she stated. “Efforts are ongoing to secure their release as quickly as possible.”

 

Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa engaged in discussions with both the Myanmar ambassador to Thailand and Myanmar’s foreign minister concerning the release of the detained individuals. The Royal Thai Embassy in Myanmar, along with the Ministry of Defence, is actively involved in these diplomatic efforts.

 

 

Thawee Phaeyai, chairman of the Phang Nga Fisheries Association, has shown solidarity with those affected, visiting Ban Nam Khem in Phang Nga province to support the families of the detained crew members. He provided details of the confrontation, stating that the Thai fishing vessel Sor Charoenchai 8 was attacked by the Myanmar navy, leading to injuries and casualties.

 

Thawee highlighted the importance of Thai fishing operations adhering to the maritime boundaries of Thailand. He emphasised that all Thai fishing vessels include Vessel Monitoring Systems to prevent encroachments into restricted or foreign waters. According to Thawee, the captains of these vessels have denied any border violations, reported Bangkok Post.

 

“The use of force by the Myanmar military was excessive.”

 

Thawee added that the association plans to formally request assistance from relevant agencies to ensure the safe return of the detained crew members.

 

Source: The Thaiger

-- 2024-12-04

 

 

[lordgrinz]

2 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thai fishing boats that strayed 6 to 7 kilometres into Myanmar waters

 

You don't stray 6-7 kilometers into another countries boundaries by accident, especially during war time, they intentionally went there, they knew the risks.

[NoDisplayName]

29 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

You don't stray 6-7 kilometers into another countries boundaries by accident, especially during war time, they intentionally went there, they knew the risks.

 

Can't they just blame "brake failure" and call it a day?

[Geoffggi]

 

9 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Can't they just blame "brake failure" and call it a day?

Maybe they were moored on a hill & the fishing boat slid down a little as the parking brake was not engaged - OK maybe I was being a little facetious ..................LOL

[KireB]

Any working cc-tv camaras that captured this event?

[Tropicalevo]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“We have received confirmation that all four Thais are safe,”

And we are supposed to believe everything that an illegal junta says?

[AgMech Cowboy]

How odd. Yesterday it was reported that the fishing vessels were in Thai waters, but now the Myanmar patrol says they were in Myanmar waters and everybody on here believes the Myanmar statement.

 

Was firing on the Thai vessels and capturing them necessary.  I think simply detaining the boats at sea, issuing citations and lodging a complaint with the Thai government would have been much better.  (Ok, hold on to 1 or 2 vessels until they pay, but allow the crew to leave in the accompanying vessels. Of course the skipper(s) of those detained boats would need to go to Myanmar, but released on their own recognizance.)

[Dcheech]

The Thai boats were running, would have gotten away, if they did not shoot. Myanmar navy boats likely are unable to give chase, lucky they even float.

 

One drowned, four prisoners. THE Thai media is  right on this. Not like the 48 Thai nationals Hamas butchered. That might upset potential tourists countries, and they were baan nok Thai, so who cares?! Not the Thai media.