Fisheries Association Urges Government Action to Secure Release of Detained Crew and Boats.

Bangkok: The Thai Fisheries Association is calling on the government to take immediate action to secure the return of Thai fishing crew members and their boats currently detained by Myanmar authorities. The Association plans to send a formal letter requesting urgent assistance from relevant government bodies. According to Thai News Agency, the Thai Fisheries Association is set to coordinate with the Royal Thai Navy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives to address the situation. The issue arose when a Myanmar warship fired upon and captured a Thai fishing boat on November 30, resulting in one fatality and injuries to the Duang Tawi Phol boat. Another Thai fishing boat, Sor Charoenchai 8, was seized with 31 crew members and taken to Yan Chueak Island, Myanmar. The Association highlighted that the affected fishing boats are equipped with a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), monitored by the Fisheries Monitoring Center at the Department of Fisheries. It is urging releva nt agencies to intervene and negotiate the release of the detained crew and boats from the Myanmar Navy. The Association is seeking an expedited resolution to this pressing issue.