Ranong: In a swift response, the commander of the 3rd Naval Area has ordered an urgent mission to assist three Thai fishing boats that were intercepted and shot at by a Myanmar warship. The incident resulted in the detention of 31 crew members and the tragic death of one Thai crew member. The boats were subsequently towed to the Myanmar coast after the crew member died trying to escape by jumping into the sea. According to Thai News Agency, the incident occurred as the Thai fishing boats were operating within Thai territorial waters, approximately 12 miles from Koh Phayam in Ranong Province. Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul, Commander of the Third Naval Area, has issued an immediate directive to sail to the location and provide assistance to the besieged Thai fishing vessels. The situation has prompted diplomatic actions, with the Thai-Myanmar Maritime Border Fisheries Coordination Center working alongside the Thai-Myanmar Local Border Committee in Ranong Province. A formal protest letter has been submitted to t he Local Border Committee in Koh Song Province, seeking resolution and support for the Thai fishing boats and their crews. The incident has highlighted ongoing tensions and the critical need for cooperation between the neighboring nations.
