Crime 70 Longtail Boats Block Songkhla Channel in Protest

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Maritime operations to dismantle illegal fishing gear in Songkhla Lake were met with fierce resistance on 8 August, as more than 70 longtail boats blocked the main shipping channel, disrupting commercial fishing and cargo transport.

 

Authorities, including multiple agencies, began the coordinated operation late on 7 August, targeting the stretch from the Phaya Nak headland to the new fishing pier in Mueang Songkhla district. The removal aimed to restore navigational routes, protect marine ecosystems and help replenish fish stocks.

 

By midday on 8 August, teams had successfully dismantled 13 rows of illegal traps, totalling 159 individual nets. The seized poles and gear were loaded onto a Royal Thai Navy vessel and taken ashore as evidence for legal proceedings.

 

However, during the operation, groups of fishermen used their longtail boats to obstruct the work. Some were reportedly armed and verbally abused officials. Authorities maintained a calm approach, adhering to the law to avoid escalation. At around 08.45, the fishing fleet surrounded the operation vessels, prompting officials to temporarily halt dismantling to prevent confrontation.

 

The fishermen then regrouped and used all 70 boats to block the waterway in both the lake and coastal areas, preventing commercial fishing boats from offloading seafood. This immediately halted fishery shipments, causing significant disruption to trade and economic activity, in the province.

 

Banjong Nahsae, adviser to the Love Thai Sea Association, said that while he supported the removal of illegal gear, the enforcement appeared selective, favouring large-scale commercial fishing operators and cargo vessels. He urged Songkhla province to apply the law equally across all illegal gear in the lake and called on Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, currently acting as Prime Minister, to investigate the unequal enforcement.

 

Related article:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1369133-operation-launched-to-remove-illegal-nets-from-songkhla-lake/

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-08-09