Bangkok: The Fisheries Association of Thailand has made an urgent appeal to government agencies to expedite the return of crew members and fishing boats seized by Myanmar authorities. The association has called for swift negotiations to resolve ongoing conflicts and to establish procedures to prevent future incidents related to fishing activities.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Mongkol Sukcharoenkhana, President of the Fisheries Association of Thailand, has communicated with the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Minister of Defense, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Commander of the Royal Thai Navy. He has urged them to facilitate the rescue of the crew and the return of the fishing boat to Thailand. This plea follows an incident where a Myanmar warship reportedly fired upon a Thai fishing vessel, seized the S. Charoenchai 4 boat, and detained 31 crew members.
The association has received support from its members, including the Purse Seine Fishing Association (Thailand), the Ranong Fi
sheries Association, and the Phang Nga Provincial Fishing Boat Association. They are coordinating with relevant government bodies to ensure the prompt return of the crew and fishing boats. Additionally, they are advocating for compensation for the families affected by the incident, which resulted in casualties and injuries.
The Fisheries Association is urging Thai government agencies to establish cooperative measures with their Myanmar counterparts. They recommend negotiations and proactive communication to avert serious conflicts in the future. The association emphasized the historically good relations between Thailand and Myanmar and expressed a desire for the two nations to continue coexisting peacefully.