Thailand protests after Myanmar navy fires on fishermen, detains 4

One Thai fisherman drowned in the incident and a vessel was reportedly seized by Myanmar’s navy

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An injured Thai fisherman is carried on a stretcher at a port in Ranong, near the border with Myanmar, on Saturday. Photo: Thailand’s Third Naval Area Command/EPA-EFE

Published: 12:43pm, 2 Dec 2024Updated: 6:14pm, 3 Dec 2024

Thailand is seeking the return of four of its citizens held by Myanmar, whose navy patrols reportedly opened fire on Thai fishing vessels and detained their crews.

A joint border committee between the two sides is working with Myanmar authorities to release the Thai fishermen, said Thanathip Sawangsang, a spokesman for Thailand’s defence ministry, adding that 27 Myanmar crew members who were also held will be subject to an investigation by authorities.

The incident took place off the coast of Thailand’s Ranong province late on Friday, when the navy ships were said to have fired at a group of 15 Thai fishing vessels operating inside Myanmar waters. A Thai fisherman drowned while one of the ships was seized.

Thai authorities received a signal for help at about 12:45am on Saturday, according to a Thai navy statement on Sunday. The Thai defence ministry earlier said two of the Thai vessels were 4 to 5.7 nautical miles (7.4km-10.6km) inside Myanmar’s territorial waters near the southern Thai province of Ranong.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra told reporters it was “inconclusive” whether the Thai fishing boats had intruded into Myanmar’s territorial waters. Photo: Reuters

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra questioned claims that the fishing boats had intruded into Myanmar’s territorial waters.