National —
On December 16th, 2024, the Kawthaung Provincial Court in Myanmar sentenced four Thai fishermen for illegal fishing and border trespassing.
The boat captain received a 6-year prison sentence, while three crew members were sentenced to 4 years each.
However, the court suspended the jail terms after the Thai captain reportedly admitted to crossing into Myanmar waters while following a school of fish. The fishing boat was confiscated, but its Thai owner has priority rights to bid for it, according to Thai national media.
The incident occurred on November 30th, 2024, when Thai authorities reported that the Thai fishing vessel, along with 27 Myanmar crew members, was seized west of Koh Phayam in disputed waters near Ranong.
The court imposed a 5-year prison sentence on the Thai captain for illegal fishing and 1 year for illegal entry, along with a fine of 3,243 baht. The three Thai crew members were sentenced to 3 years for illegal fishing, 1 year for illegal entry, and fined 486 baht each.
While the 27 Myanmar crew members were sentenced to 1 year in prison for illegal entry, the court showed leniency to the Thai crew due to their admission and to maintain good international relations.
All four Thai fishermen will reportedly be released and allowed to return home on Myanmar Independence day, January 4th 2025, according to Thai national media.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
