BANGKOK (AFP) – Thailand yesterday summoned the Myanmar ambassador to push for the release of four Thai nationals detained after Myanmar naval vessels reportedly fired on fishing boats.
One fisherman drowned after jumping into the sea during the incident when the Thai boats strayed six to seven kilometres into Myanmar waters on Saturday, the kingdom’s Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Sunday. A total of 31 crew members, including four Thai citizens, were detained, Phumtham said. Thailand’s director general of East Asian affairs Piyapak Sricharoen yesterday met with Myanmar ambassador Chit Swe, who “expressed his condolences” and said he “would raise the issue with all of those involved, at the highest level of the Myanmar government”, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said in a video statement.
Maris said he had reached out to his Myanmar counterpart Than Swe who “responded with his commitment to lend his full support to the Thai side”, after Thailand urged a full investigation into the incident and the release of the four Thai citizens.
The Thai government said it had also told its ambassador in Yangon to raise the issue with Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry in Naypyidaw.
