Thailand Demands Repatriation Of Myanmar-Detained Ship Crew In Andaman Sea

JAKARTA - The Thai government demanded the immediate repatriation of four members of the fishing boat crew detained by Myanmar in the Andaman Sea on Saturday (30/11).

Thailand considers Myanmar's naval action an "excessive reaction," the Bangkok Post newspaper reported on Monday, December 2.

"The government demands the immediate repatriation of the sailors detained and considers Myanmar's naval action an exaggerated reaction," the Thai government said in a statement regarding the incident reported by ANTARA from Anadolu.

The incident occurred at around 01.15 am local time on Saturday (18.15 GMT on Friday), when about 15 small fishing boats from Thailand were in the sea border area between Thailand and Myanmar in the Andaman Sea.

They were attacked by Myanmar naval patrol boats that opened fire.

A fisherman was killed, two others injured, and 19 crew members of two trawlers - four Thai nationals and 15 Myanmar citizens who worked on Thai ships under a contract - detained by the Myanmar military.

"Whether our fishermen cross the border or not is still unclear, but they may do it accidentally. However, Myanmar's naval reaction is too much," Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Phumtham Wechayai, told reporters.

Phumtham said most of the 15 Thai fishing boats involved in the incident did not come from Ranong province, which is closest to the scene, but from Phang Nga province.

The captains of the ship may not know the area they are in. Thailand-Myanmar bilateral border commissions will soon meet to discuss the incident, said Phumtham.

"The incident that occurred on Saturday was the first maritime clash between Thailand and Myanmar in 30 years," he added.

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday that Myanmar's ambassador would be summoned to provide an explanation and negotiate negotiations regarding the incident.