Myanmar navy fires on Thai fishing boats - 1 dead, boats seized, crews arrested

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Jun
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Re: Myanmar navy fires on Thai fishing boats - 1 dead, boats seized, crews arrested

Post by Jun »

Gaybutton wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 6:52 amI'm not going to Myanmar.
I'm also not going to Myanmar, but that's due to the civil war.
I'm also not going to illegally fish in their waters, but if I did, I'd consider arrest to be a fair outcome.
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Re: Myanmar navy fires on Thai fishing boats - 1 dead, boats seized, crews arrested

Post by Gaybutton »

Jun wrote: Sun Jan 05, 2025 7:13 am
I'm also not going to illegally fish in their waters
The 4 being held were crew, not captain. They probably had no idea they were in Myanmar waters, if indeed they really were in Myanmar waters. Whether or not they were is under dispute. I wonder if they had even caught any fish.

In any case, since Myanmar now twice has announced they will release them, but still holding them anyway, that is a problem - and not exactly the best way to maintain friendly relations with Thailand, if they even care about that.
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Re: Myanmar navy fires on Thai fishing boats - 1 dead, boats seized, crews arrested

Post by Gaybutton »

"four Thai fishing crew members were not released by Myanmar on Saturday as earlier expected because their release process is still underway."

Really? How long have they been holding these fishermen again? How long has Myanmar already had for "processing" their release?

If you believed that story for 2 seconds, you believed it longer than I did. I believe Myanmar is using these men as some sort of ridiculous political pawns. I have no idea what purpose is being served, but that's what I believe. I see no reason why they are not already home and haven't been for much too long.
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Govt regrets Myanmar's continued detention of Thai fishers, asks for patience

January 5, 2025

Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said four Thai fishing crew members were not released by Myanmar on Saturday as earlier expected because their release process is still underway.

Mr Phumtham said on Sunday that the release of the four Thais was being processed and the Foreign Affairs Ministry was following up on the issue closely.

Relatives had already met the four Thai detainees in Kaw Thaung and found that all of them were in good physical and mental health, Mr Phumtham said.

The minister confirmed that they would be released soon but he could not specify an exact date because of procedural issues regarding the release.

According to a recent report, the crew members were sentenced to four to six years in a Myanmar jail after their alleged intrusion into the Myanmar waters late November.

Earlier Mr Phumtham had predicted their release on Jan 4 (Saturday), Myanmar's Independence Day.

On Saturday 151 other Thai prisoners were released from Myanmar.

Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, expressed disappointment over the prolonged detention of four Thai fishing crew members in Myanmar.

He said on Sunday that it was disappointing that the four Thais were not freed on Saturday and the ministry had done its best to obtain their release and would continue to do so.

The spokesman also said that the Myanmar Foreign Affairs Ministry had been cooperative and had tried to push for the quick release of the Thai fishermen. However, the release also depended on internal processes in Myanmar, he said.

He said that officials from the Thai embassy in Yangon received permission to visit the four Thais in Kawthaung and found that they were in good physical and mental health and received three meals a day.

Mr Nikorndej said that the case was sensitive when it came to the release of the Thai fishermen, because it involved issues concerning the fishing industries of both sides and overall bilateral ties.

Patience and careful negotiation were essential for the matter, he said.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... r-patience
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Re: Myanmar navy fires on Thai fishing boats - 1 dead, boats seized, crews arrested

Post by Gaybutton »

Remember those 4 fishermen arrested in Myanmar, accused of illegal fishing in Myanmar waters? They have just been granted a pardon and will be going home.
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Myanmar pardons Four Thai fishermen, clearing path for their return home

March 29, 2025

Myanmar has granted a pardon to four Thai fishermen, allowing them to leave the country and return to Thailand soon.

Maris Sangiampongsa, Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the decision and expressed appreciation to all involved agencies from both Thailand and Myanmar for their ongoing diplomatic efforts and coordination.

The State Administration Council of Myanmar issued the pardon order on March 27th, granting clemency to the four Thai nationals. Minister Maris emphasized that the release was made on humanitarian grounds, highlighting the strong diplomatic ties and mutual goodwill between the two neighboring countries. He also reiterated that the Thai government prioritizes the protection and welfare of its citizens abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will now work closely with Myanmar authorities to facilitate the safe and swift return of the fishermen to Thailand and their families.

https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnew ... ome-495724
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Re: Myanmar navy fires on Thai fishing boats - 1 dead, boats seized, crews arrested

Post by Gaybutton »

Thai crew members released by Myanmar return home after pardon

March 29, 2025

Four Thai crew members detained by Myanmar authorities since November last year arrived in Ranong province on Saturday afternoon.

Ras Chaleechan, vice minister for foreign affairs, led a Thai delegation, including representatives from the Thailand-Myanmar Township Border Committee (TBC) and senior officials from relevant agencies, on a speedboat to Kawthaung province, Myanmar, to receive the crew members.

Their release came after a pardon granted by the Myanmar government following diplomatic negotiations. Mr Ras thanked the Myanmar authorities for granting clemency.

Upon their return to Ranong, the crew members were warmly welcomed by their families.

The four crew members were identified as boat skipper Sunan Mongkuthong, 68; Sompong Wiwat, 61; Thavorn Promimit, 64; and Wiroj Saphanthong Na Nakhon, 69.

The Thai fishermen were detained by Myanmar on Nov 30 after their fishing boats were alleged to have intruded into disputed waters. Following a gun attack on the trawlers by Myanmar patrol boats, one crew member jumped into the sea and died.

On Jan 4, the Myanmar government released 151 Thai prisoners. Once back in Thailand, they underwent a screening process to determine who were victims deceived into the operations and who were active members of online gambling or call centre scam gangs.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... ter-pardon
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