Thailand says Myanmar has released detained fishermen

Thailand’s foreign ministry said Thursday that Myanmar has released all four Thai fishermen who were detained after a maritime clash in which Myanmar naval vessels reportedly fired on fishing boats. The incident occurred on Saturday, with Thai authorities announcing that Myanmar boats had attacked Thai fishing vessels after they strayed about four miles into neighbouring Myanmar’s waters. One Thai fisherman drowned after jumping into the sea during the incident. A Myanmar junta spokesman later confirmed that a naval vessel had “chased” the boats, arresting 27 Myanmar nationals and four Thais. On Thursday, the kingdom’s foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters that the Myanmar side had released all four Thais and taken them to a border checkpoint to be repatriated. The ministry also conveyed its “best wishes to the families” of the released Thais in a statement, thanking the agencies involved for negotiating their release and “safe return home.” Their release comes after Thailand had summoned the Myanmar ambassador on Monday, and sent the Thai ambassador in Yangon to raise the issue with Naypyitaw. AFP has reached out to Myanmar’s junta for comment. The clash highlights ongoing disputes over illegal fishing and maritime boundaries in the Andaman Sea, off the southern point of the 1,490-mile (2,400km) land border Thailand shares with Myanm

Thailand says Myanmar has released detained fishermen

The four Thai nationals were crew members of a boat that was shot at after entering Myanmar waters last Saturday

Subscribe for full access

Burned, beaten, and hunted: Myanmar worker survives alleged torture in Thailand

In Myanmar’s heartland, desperation fuels a shadow trade in stolen identities

How the global fuel crisis is upending Myanmar’s rice supply chain

No way out: Junta airstrike leaves prisoners burned alive in AA camp

Subscribe for full access

Related Articles

Myanmar resistance forces lose towns on India, Thai borders

KIA drone strike kills Myanmar junta troops near Hpakant

UN special envoy to visit Myanmar amid junta push for international legitimacy

UN says $610m shortfall in life-saving Rohingya refugee aid