A navy patrol captured a Vietnamese fishing boat illegally catching sea snakes in Thai waters.
The HTMS Ratanakosin seized the 15-meter boat and arrested four crewmen, including Captain Veng Tae Lien, 43, 27 nautical miles from Koh Kood Nov. 26.
Veng confessed his boat left Kienyang province in Vietnam 15 days ago and invaded Thai waters to catch the snakes. He said the risk of getting caught was outweighed by the potential return of a hold full of snakes, which are exported for good prices to China.
They were charged with illegal entry into Thailand and illegal fishing.
Captain and crew sit on a Thai Navy dock as officials search their tiny vessel.
