MYANMAR Ambassador to Thailand Chit Swe said the four Thai fishermen captured in an attack by Myanmar navy patrol boats on three Thai trawlers last Saturday would be released today (Dec. 5), Thai Rath newspaper and Amarin TV said.
The envoy added that they would be released at around 5 p.m. but his country’s authorities are checking whether the four fishermen are to be charged with illegal entry and if so they will be sent to Pak Nam police station to be fined.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and the Thai army and navy have been continuously coordinating with the Myanmar government on their release.
One of the three trawlers and the crew, both Thai and Myanmar citizens, are being held at Myanmar’s Koh Song island.
Officials travelling to bring back the four Thais include the director and the secretary-general of Thai-Myanmar Local Border Committee , the commander of battalion two of the 25th Infantry Regiment and Immigration officials from Ranong province.
Myanmar officials at Koh Song will consider whether or not to release the seized Thai fishing boat.
Sailors aboard three Myanmar patrol boats opened gunfire at three Thai fishing boats which led to the death of a Thai crewmember who had reportedly drowned in the sea and the injury of two others.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Some fishermen who were rescued by the Thai navy disembark after reaching Thai shore. Photo: Thai Rath
Front Page: The Thai navy patrol boat that rescued the fishermen after Saturday’s attack. Photo: Amarin TV
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