Thai Foreign Minister to visit Myanmar over detained Thai fishermen

Thai Minister for Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa will visit Myanmar to discuss the four Thai fishermen who have been detained by Myanmar authorities, the Bangkok Post reported.

Thai Foreign Minister will meet with Myanmar officials on Thursday to discuss the immediate release of the four Thai fishermen, the Ministry of Defence said.

The report said citing The Border Consortium (TBC), Ministry of Defence spokesman Maj. Gen. Thanathip Sawangsaeng said the process of repatriating the four Thai nationals was still ongoing.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and the Ambassador to Thailand and learnt that the delay in the Thai fishermen’s case was due to legal procedures and there were no other issues, the Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

The Prime Minister has conveyed her concerns about the four men and expressed her desire for their immediate release. Minister for Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa is scheduled to meet with Myanmar authorities on December 19 to discuss the immediate release of the fishermen, who have been detained in Myanmar for nearly two weeks, said Ministry of Defence spokesman Maj. Gen. Thanathip Sawangsaeng.

Minister for Defence Phumtham Wechayachai also instructed the TBC and other agencies to coordinate with the families of the four, he said.

The four Thai nationals were arrested by a Myanmar Navy ship about 12 nautical miles offshore along with 27 Myanmar fishermen, and one of the fishermen from a fishing boat jumped into the sea and died, the report said.

The detainees have been transferred to a detention center in Kawthoung. The four Thai nationals were reportedly released on December 6, but have not been released, the report said.