TRAT, Thailand – The First Naval Area Command, in cooperation with the Maritime Enforcement Command Center (MECC), intercepted a Vietnamese fishing vessel illegally operating in Thai waters. While more than 10 foreign fishing boats were spotted, only one was captured after failing to escape. In a shocking turn of events, the detained vessel attempted to ram the Royal Thai Navy’s HTMS Thepha, causing damage to the patrol ship. Four crew members were arrested and will face legal action.
At 5:00 PM on February 25, HTMS Thepha and Tor. 246 successfully towed the seized vessel, along with its four crew members, to a multi-purpose vessel stationed at Khlong Yai, Trat. The capture followed an operation earlier that morning within Thailand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Authorities had been tracking the illegal fishing activities since February 22, after receiving intelligence reports about Vietnamese fishing boats—including pair trawlers, purse seiners, and light-luring vessels—operating in Thai waters. The boats reportedly conducted illegal fishing at night and retreated southward to rest during the daytime.
To counter this, the First Naval Area Command requested reinforcements from the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), deploying patrol vessels and aircraft for surveillance. This led to the successful interception of one Vietnamese vessel, while the rest managed to escape beyond Thailand’s EEZ.
During the arrest, one Vietnamese fishing boat made a desperate attempt to evade capture by ramming HTMS Thepha’s side, causing structural damage. The crew only surrendered after warning shots were fired from an M16 rifle, following standard international procedures.
Vice Admiral Arpa Chaphanont, Director of MECC Region 1 and Commander of the First Naval Area Command, confirmed that the Royal Thai Navy will enforce stricter measures against repeated incursions by Vietnamese fishing boats, especially in the lower Gulf of Thailand, an area frequently targeted for illegal fishing.
“This is the first such capture in 2025 within the First Naval Area, and we will take decisive action. The Navy will formally notify the Thai government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address this issue with the Vietnamese government,” stated Vice Admiral Arpa.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions over illegal fishing in Thai waters, prompting authorities to ramp up enforcement efforts to protect marine resources and national sovereignty.
