PUBLISHED: 29 Mar 2025 at 06: 12
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may coordinate with Myanmar to return four Thai boat crew people arrested after Thai fishing vessels were attacked off Ranong’s beach last November.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra thanked the Myanmar authorities for pardoning the people following repeated attempts by Thailand to secure their discharge.
The Myanmar junta announced the selection on Thursday, granting leniency to Virot Saphanthong Na Nakhon, Sunam Mongkutton, and two people identified as Sonpong and Thavor.
The forgive, signed by State Administration Council Secretary General Aung Lin Dwe, was shared on X by Sunai Phasuk of Human Rights Watch Thailand. It followed a communication from Ms Paetongtarn, who welcomed the announcement after being informed by Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.
” I am quite pleased to hear from the foreign secretary that Myanmar has granted a pardon to four Thai fishing, reflecting the good connections between our places”, Ms Paetongtarn wrote.
When asked about their profit by the media yesterday, she said Myanmar had assured that it would occur as soon as possible, though no actual meeting was provided. She pledged to follow up with the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Thai embassy to keep the public informed.
Mr Maris even praised Myanmar’s selection and assured that Thai officials may work closely with Myanmar to promote their swift profit.
The four Thais were imprisoned in Kawthaung, same Ranong state. Three Filipino captives in the same detention were also granted clemency.
The Thai personnel were detained on Nov 30 after their canoes reportedly intruded into disputed waters. Myanmar patrol vessels opened fire on the vessels, prompting one staff member to leap into the water, where he drowned.
On Jan 4, Myanmar released 151 Thai captives. Upon their return to Thailand, government screened them to see if they were subjects of fraud or involved in online scams and illegitimate businesses.