National —
In the early hours of November 30th, 2024, the Thai-Myanmar Maritime Border Fisheries Coordination Centre reported that three armed Myanmar patrol vessels allegedly fired on three Thai fishing boats operating in Thai territorial waters near Ranong.
The incident occurred as the Thai boats were reportedly casting nets. One fishing vessel was struck, prompting its crew to jump into the sea, leaving three missing.
By morning, the missing crew members were located, with one, a 24-year-old Thai engineer, found deceased. Two others, Myanmar nationals, survived with injuries.
Two additional fishing boats were affected. The crew of one vessel sustained minor injuries, including gunshot grazes and electric shock burns, with one still receiving treatment at Ranong Hospital. Another boat crew remained unscathed but shaken by the events.
A Thai fishing vessel with 31 crew members, 4 Thais and 27 Myanmar nationals, was reportedly seized and forcibly towed to Kyun Shuai Island in Myanmar’s Kawthaung Province.
Thai authorities lodged a protest with Myanmar’s local border committee. Efforts to secure the crew’s release are ongoing. However, there is no immediate response from the Myanmar ruling military junta regarding the incident as of press time.
The Foreign Ministry, under Thai Prime Ministerial orders, is pressing Myanmar for a full investigation into possible international law violations and excessive force.
The Thai embassy in Yangon is actively coordinating with Myanmar officials to address the situation and ensure justice for the victims.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.