Ranong: Today, four Thai fishing crew members who were arrested by Myanmar authorities late last year have been granted a royal pardon and are scheduled to be released back to Thailand this afternoon. According to the schedule, the four Thai crew members will be handed over to the Ranong province side.
According to Thai News Agency, the atmosphere in the area is expectant, as families of the 4 Thai fishermen are anticipated to travel to meet and receive their loved ones. At 14.00, Thai representatives, including Mr. Rasme Chaleechan, Assistant Minister to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Thai TBC representatives, and Ranong Province representatives, will embark on a speedboat from the lighthouse pier. Their destination is Bayinnaung Pier in Koh Song Province, where they will meet with Colonel Ao Kola, Commander of Strategy, Koh Song Province, Mr. U So Ao, Koh Song Governor, and Mr. U Ko Ko Nai, Head of Koh Song Immigration. These officials will act as the Myanmar representatives to formally hand over the 4 Thai fishermen to the Thai side.
Once the transfer is completed, the group will promptly return to Ranong Province. Upon their arrival, a team of doctors and public health officers will be on standby to conduct health examinations on all 4 crew members. This measure is crucial since each of the fishermen has a chronic disease and is over 60 years old. Following the health assessments, they will be escorted to Pak Nam Police Station to undergo the necessary legal procedures in Thailand.
The release of the Thai fishermen follows an order issued yesterday by the State Administration Council of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Order 27/2025, under Article 401 (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, annuls the sentences of four Thai citizens from Kawthaung Prison and three Filipino citizens from Hpa-an Prison. The order comes with a stipulation that any future offenses will lead to re-sentencing and deportation from Myanmar. This decision underscores the emphasis on bilateral relations between the countries and humanitarian considerations.