Myanmar fishermen charged after entering Thai waters near Ranong
Myanmar fishermen face charges after being apprehended in Thai waters near Ranong province.
The 3rd Naval Area Command seized two fishing boats with Myanmar crew members on February 7 for intruding into waters southwest of Koh Khang Khao.
Two Royal Thai Navy vessels escorted these boats to a local deep-sea port yesterday morning, February 8.
Seven Myanmar nationals were found on board, and their mobile phones were confiscated for examination. It was discovered that the captain of one vessel lacked maritime documents and the boat was not flying a flag.
No fishing equipment was found, and the hold was empty, leading to suspicions of illegal activity, reported Bangkok Post.
The second vessel was equipped with a deep hull and three engines, carrying eight 200-litre tanks of diesel that were undeclared to customs. The crew members face five initial charges, including unlawful entry into Thailand, lacking appropriate registration, and fuel smuggling. Further investigations are ongoing.
Last year, a Myanmar fishing boat was seized, and its six crew members were arrested for smuggling in Ranong, southern Thailand. The incident occurred after officials discovered a significant quantity of salt-fermented shrimp aboard the vessel.
Thailand Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 reported that naval officers were dispatched to Waithong pier in tambon Pak Nam, Ranong, at 9pm on December 14 last year. This action followed a tip-off about a vessel illegally transporting fishery products into Thailand.
Upon arrival, officials found a Myanmar boat docked at the pier, crewed by six individuals. The vessel lacked the necessary permit for importing fishery products into the country.
A thorough search revealed 2,000 sacks, each containing 20 kilogrammes of fermented shrimp, amounting to 40,000 kilogrammes in total. The crew members were subsequently taken to Pak Nam police station to face legal proceedings.
This seizure has heightened tensions in the region, particularly following an incident two weeks ago when a Myanmar patrol boat opened fire on 15 fishing boats in Myanmar waters near Ranong.
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