Royal Thai Navy patrol ships arrested 18 Vietnamese fishermen illegally piloting a pair of boats in the upper Gulf of Thailand.
The Thailand Maritime Enforcement Coordinating Center Region 1 organized the intercept of the two Vietnamese boats about 57 miles off Koh Chuang. Captains Fam Kuak Hawee, 36, and Tai Lae Muen Duen, 46, and their 16 crewmen were apprehended.
The Royal Thai Navy guides one of two illegal Vietnamese fishing boats into the harbor.
Rear Adm. Pradit Siricupt said the region has seen a large number of Vietnamese boats illegally plying Thai waters. The navy is working to handle fishermen’s complaints with the Eastern Gulf of Thailand Fishing Management Center in Rayong, Rayong Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Rayong Marine Police, and Customs Department.
All the Vietnamese crewmen received health checks and were transferred to Department of Marine and Coastal Resources to be processed for deportation.
