MYANMAR navy vessels shot at three Thai fishing boats without warning soon after midnight yesterday (Nov. 30) leading to one crewmember dying, two being injured and of 31 captured four are Thai with the rest being Myanmar citizens while the neighbouring country’s ambassador has been summoned for talks tomorrow, Naewna newspaper said this afternoon (Dec. 1).
Around 10 Thai fishing boats were in the area of Barang 2800, which is 5.8 nautical miles from the lighthouse at Koh Phayam island, around 35km from southern Thai Ranong province, when they were attacked with all quickly cutting their fishing nets and sailing away.
The three boats that were chased and shot at by Myanmar warships were identified as Duang Tawiphon 333, Mahalap Thanawat 4 and S Charoenchai 8 with all three based at Phang Nga province’s Takua Pa subdistrict.
While two boats managed to get away, Myanmar navy succeeded in capturing the third one with the crew of 31, four Thai and the rest Myanmar nationals, rounded up.
As the crew of Duang Tawiphon 333, one of the two boats that dodged Myanmar navy warships, all jumped into the sea to escape capture, one of them, Mr. Worakorn Chusiripongkun, 24, a mechanic,drowned.
By 8.20 a.m. today all crew members were rescued while another fishing boat, Duang Tawiphon 99 towed Duang Tawiphon 333 to Phang Na.
The latest report indicates that the captured crew had been taken to Myanmar’s Koh Song island, which is opposite Ranong.
Ms. Wee, the deceased mechanic’s grandmother, said in tears that she felt sorry for her grandson and missed him very much.
He neither drank alcohol nor smoked cigarettes and did not like going fishing, with this being the first time he joined a boat as his father wanted him to learn the trade.
She added that the Myanmar soldiers were cruel, they opened fire without warning. While the Thai boats could have encroached on Myanmar waters because the demarcation line is not clear they should not have opened fire like this.
Her grandson was wearing a life jacket when he jumped into the sea but the waves were strong and he did not reach the other boats in time so he drowned.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said during a visit to Chiang Rai that it is as yet not clear whether the Thai fishing boats had encroached on Myanmar waters.
Asked whether Myanmar was overreacting, Paetongtarn said Thailand does not support the use of violence in any way with this being the country’s position across the world.
The Foreign Ministry has been continuously contacting Myanmar authorities since the attack and if there is any progress they will immediately release the news but international discussions must follow protocol.
Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said a letter expressing concern had been sent to Myanmar authorities and the Myanmar ambassador called for talks tomorrow during which it will be emphasised that the incident be properly investigated and the four Thai fishermen released.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Duang Tawiphon 333 after being towed to Phang Na.
Below and Front Page: One of the Thai fishing boats attacked by the Myanmar navy.
Last photo below Ms. Wee is heartbroken at the death of her grandson. All images Naenwa
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