BANGKOK — Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced on Tuesday that her administration is in discussions with Myanmar regarding the release of four fishermen who were apprehended by Myanmar’s navy for allegedly entering its waters.
Paetongtarn informed the press in Bangkok that there is confirmation of the detainees’ safety, stating, “All four being detained now are still safe,” following their capture on Saturday, and expressed optimism about their imminent release.
Thai authorities reported that Myanmar’s navy fired upon several Thai boats during the incident, resulting in one crew member who fell overboard unfortunately drowning. Additionally, two individuals sustained injuries and are presently receiving medical care in Thailand.
The event transpired near the maritime boundary in the Andaman Sea. One Thai fishing trawler was taken, with a total of 31 crew members detained—four of whom are Thai citizens, while the rest are nationals from Myanmar. Thailand boasts a large fishing fleet, primarily manned by workers from less affluent neighboring countries.
The Thai navy has acknowledged that some fishing vessels operated by Thailand were indeed in Myanmar’s territorial waters but raised concerns regarding the excessive force used by the Myanmar navy during the incident.
An audio statement made public on Monday night by Myanmar’s military leadership asserted that the navy did not enter Thai waters when apprehending the Thai vessel, which was reportedly one among five fishing in its maritime zone since Friday evening.
The statement, delivered by Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for Myanmar’s military government, confirmed that all 27 Myanmar crew members and the four Thai fishermen in custody are safe.
Despite many Western nations isolating Myanmar’s military government due to its oppressive regime and human rights violations, Thailand maintains relatively cordial relations with its neighbor.
Zaw Min Tun criticized “nation-subversive media and certain online provocateurs” for attempting to undermine the ties between the two countries.
“I would like to emphasize that there is consistent and effective communication between the governments and militaries of both nations,” he remarked.
Earlier in the week, there were reports that Myanmar’s navy fired upon a Bangladeshi fishing boat in a disputed region of the Bay of Bengal.
Local Bangladeshi news reported that one of the six fishermen aboard was wounded by gunfire; however, Myanmar’s state media claimed there were no naval vessels present during the reported incident.