The Myanmar government has announced that four Thai nationals and 27 Myanmar nationals have been detained along with a Thai fishing boat that entered Myanmar’s territorial waters for fishing. It stated that there were no fatalities or injuries, and the matter is currently under investigation.
According to Thai media, Myanmar forces seized the Thai fishing boat on November 30, resulting in the death of one Thai fisherman. The boat and its crew were taken into custody by Myanmar authorities.
The Thai Prime Minister expressed disapproval of the incident, where Myanmar’s navy allegedly fired on Thai fishing boats, and instructed relevant agencies, including the Royal Thai Navy and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to coordinate with Myanmar. This statement came after Myanmar responded to the allegations.
Major General Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the Myanmar military, refuted claims made by foreign media, stating, “Firstly, contrary to reports by some international media, the Myanmar Navy did not enter Thai waters to seize the boat. The Thai fishing vessels were apprehended for fishing illegally within Myanmar’s territorial waters, following standard procedures. Secondly, no injuries or fatalities occurred.”
The incident occurred in Myanmar’s territorial waters off the coast of Kawthoung Township. On November 30, around 2:40 a.m., a Myanmar naval vessel detected five suspicious movements in the area using radar and proceeded to investigate. Upon inspection, the activities were found to involve fishing boats. The naval team signaled them to stop for inspection, but the boats attempted to flee. After a chase, one Thai fishing vessel was captured at approximately 3:20 a.m., about five nautical miles inside Myanmar’s territorial waters, near the northeastern tip of Kyak Mauk Island.
Along with the fishing boat, 27 Myanmar nationals and four Thai nationals were detained. The captured vessel and its crew were transported to a Myanmar naval base by 4 a.m. Myanmar authorities informed Thai officials in Ranong at 5 a.m. about the capture of the Thai fishing boat, its crew, and the violation of Myanmar’s waters.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the fishing boat is owned by a Thai national from Ranong and had departed from Ranong Port at 3 p.m. on November 29. It entered Myanmar’s territorial waters at 9 p.m. to fish. Reports indicate that Thai fishermen onboard were paid THB 15,000 each, while Myanmar fishermen received THB 12,000 for their work.
Major General Zaw Min Tun stated that Myanmar had formally notified Thailand about the incident. He also mentioned that non-lethal items linked to armed groups were found aboard the boat and are being investigated. He assured that the detained Myanmar and Thai nationals are in good condition.
He further criticized certain media outlets and online campaigns for attempting to create misunderstandings between Myanmar and Thailand. “We want to emphasize that both governments and armed forces maintain good communication and cooperation,” he concluded.
