The Thai navy said they have detained another five Vietnamese vessels for illegally fishing in Thailand’s exclusive economic zone.


Illustrative image (Source: bangkokpost.com)

Speaking at a press conference at Sattahip military port in southern Chonburi province on April 7, Rear Admiral Watson Booneung, Deputy Commander of Royal Thai Navy Region I, said the ships carrying 37 fishermen were arrested at the latitude of 10 degrees 45 minutes North and the longitude of 102 degrees 8 minutes East, off Thailand’s Trat coastal province – bordering Cambodia.

The ships coded CM 95848 TS, CM 91050, CM 99110 TS, CM 95828 TS, and one without number were later brought to Sattahip military port.

Crewmembers said they are fishermen from the southern province of Ca Mau, leaving their hometown on March 27 and being seized on April 5.

The area where they were arrested is very near the location where five Vietnamese boats with 47 fishermen onboard were captured on April 3.

The Vietnamese fishermen are temporarily detained at a base of Royal Thai Navy Region I to wait for trial.

Watson Booneung revealed that the Thai navy seized a total of 11 boats with 102 Vietnamese fishermen onboard for illegal fishing in Thai waters from April 3-7.

Thailand is increasing the crackdown on ships infringing Thai territorial waters to implement its strategy of defending sea and island sovereignty, he said.

Representatives of the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand have arrived in the province for citizen protection work. They have requested Thai authorities to handle the matter in the humanitarian spirit in line with national and international law.

VNA