The Royal Thai Navy
arrested 54 Vietnamese fishermen and seized seven boats found operating
illegally in Sattahip Bay.
Patcharapol Panrak
The Royal Thai Navy arrested 54 Vietnamese fishermen and seized seven
boats found operating illegally in Sattahip Bay.
Sailors from the HTMS Takbai and HTMS Tor 112 surrounded the boats Nov.
29 about 90 miles from Koh Chuang. Inspections of the boats’ holds found
hundreds of sea snakes in plastic cans and some squid.
The crewmen were charged with violating Thai territorial waters,
entering the kingdom illegally and violating fishing treaties.
Navy Capt. Samrerng Janso said 60 Vietnamese boats have been seized in
the area recently, all fishing for sea snakes, which bring 500-1,000
baht each in China. They are valued, he said, for believed medicinal
properties including anti-aging, sexual enhancement and treatment of
many diseases.
Squid, he added, can be sold for 800-1,000 baht per kilogram.
