Foreign crewmen rescued in Bangkok

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: Twelve Chinese and Myanmar crewmen aboard a cargo ship stranded on the Chao Phraya River were rescued yesterday.

Rachen Rangmarerng, head of the Port Authority of Thailand’s labor union, said the crewmen, seven of who were Chinese, were starving and dehydrated.

Mr Rachen jointly led the rescue on the Li Jia 8 with former MP Paveena Hongsakul. The crewmen will receive medical treatment before being paid and repatriated, Mr Rachen said.

Mr Rachen said some of the men lodged a petition with the Port Authority of Thailand complaining about being left stranded on the ship, which was abandoned by its Chinese owner after he became indebted to several fishery operators. As a result, the owner did not pay the crewmen for several months and did not replenish the ship’s fuel or food supplies.

The crewmen told police they decided to dock the ship near Wat Pariwas in Bangkok’s Yannawa district, as they did not know what else to do. They were afraid they were going to be arrested by police for running the ship without permission.

— Phuket Gazette Editors