National—
On November 16th, 2023, Admiral Adung Phan-iam, the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, revealed to Thai national media after receiving a report from Thai fishermen that a Vietnamese boat illegally trespassed the lower Gulf of Thailand.
Thai navy ships were dispatched to patrol the reported area and captured five alleged Vietnamese fishermen before escorting them to the Songkhla Naval Base, Mueang, Songkhla.
Admiral Adung stated to Thai reporters that an order was issued to Thai navy ships to patrol the area regularly to prevent illegal Vietnamese fishing boats in the Gulf of Thailand.
In the past, the Thai government requested the Vietnamese authorities to notify fishing boats not to fish in Thai waters. From now on, the Thai Navy will take proactive actions to protect the national marine interests of the Thai people without fail, said Admiral Adung.
According to the report from the Royal Thai Navy, the five alleged Vietnamese fishermen were escorted to the Songkhla police station along with their fishing boat for further legal process.
Within the past 2 years, more than 26 fishing boats were confiscated and 119 alleged Vietnamese fishermen were arrested in Thailand. However, the legal process is under supervision regarding maintaining relations between Thailand and Vietnam without violence.
