Three Indonesian fishing trawlers have been seized for illegal fishing in Thai waters after they were spotted off the Phuket coast at the weekend.
The Bangkok Post reports that the fishing boats were first spotted by a reconnaissance plane on Saturday, October 7. At the time, the vessels were fishing west of Phuket, according to Puchong Rodnikorn, deputy commander of the 3rd Naval Area.
On Sunday, HTMS Klaeng was dispatched to intercept the trawlers which were located nearly 80 nautical miles west of Cape Promthep. KM Rahmat Jaya had 12 crew members on board, KM Ikhlasbaru had 16, and the Kambiastar had 12 crew.
All three vessels were seized and the 40 crew members arrested. They were transported under escort to Phuket’s Rassada Pier, arriving there yesterday. The crew members have been handed over to Chalong Police to face prosecution.
SOURCE: Bangkok Post
