Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

The Third Naval Area Command’s Centre for the Protection of National Maritime Interests (CPNMI Region 3) has confirmed that Rear Admiral Suwat Donsakul, Commander of the Third Naval Area and Director of CPNMI Region 3, issued an urgent order on 30 August to dispatch the HTMS Hua Hin, along with naval personnel, to intercept and inspect a vessel deemed suspicious in the Andaman Sea.

 

The alert was triggered by the Phuket Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), which reported that a fishing vessel, the BLENE, flagged under Vanuatu, had entered Thai waters around 01:00 hrs. The vessel was moving at approximately three knots and failed to respond to calls over the radio. Between 02:30 and 05:00 hrs, the ship was observed navigating in circular patterns, resembling trawling activity, near the coordinates 7°54’51″N 089°01’18″E, roughly 20 nautical miles west of Phuket.

 

By 17:20 hrs, HTMS Hua Hin had intercepted and boarded the vessel. Officials from the Phuket Port Security Centre reported that no fishing equipment, marine life or illegal items were found on board. The vessel’s captain stated that the ship had departed from Russia and was en route to Bangladesh for sale.

 

Further investigation by the CPNMI Region 3 operations centre revealed that the vessel had left Russia 57 days ago. Authorities will continue to monitor its course until it exits Thai waters.

 

CPNMI Region 3 emphasised its ongoing commitment to safeguarding national maritime interests in the Andaman Sea, ensuring the country’s marine resources remain secure, prosperous, and sustainable.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-09-01

 

 

 

Too rusty for Russia.

Sell to Bangladesh 🫣

Let's hope it doesn't break apart before reaching Bangladesh.

Guess for scrapping?