Bangkok: The Fisheries Association confirmed that Thai fishing boats did not encroach on Myanmar’s territorial waters, ensuring that a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) tracks the ships’ coordinates in real time. If any vessel approaches the border, the Fisheries Department promptly alerts them to return. The association stated that no fishing boats violated the law, which imposes hefty fines, and expressed concern that misinformation might affect Thailand’s fishery exports if trading partners mistakenly believe the country engages in illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Suradet Nilubon, President of the Songkhla Fisheries Association and Vice President of the Fisheries Association of Thailand, coordinated with Mr. Somsap Chittatham, President of the Ranong Fisheries Association, to gather information on an incident where a Thai fishing boat near Ranong Province was attacked by a Myanmar government vessel, resulting in casualties and detentions. The boat owner a
ssured the Ranong Fisheries Association that the vessel remained within Thai waters and did not trespass into Myanmar territory.
The Department of Fisheries is reportedly investigating the vessel’s location by reviewing its navigation history through the VMS. As mandated by the Fisheries Act B.E. 2558, commercial fishing vessels weighing 30 gross tons or more must install the VMS, which uses internet, GPS, and GSM technology to monitor the vessel’s position in real time, helping to prevent IUU fishing.
The Fisheries Monitoring Center (FMC) at the Department of Fisheries vigilantly tracks all commercial fishing vessels round the clock. The VMS must continuously relay signals to the PIPO Center. If a signal is lost for over six hours, the vessel is ordered to return to shore immediately. Similarly, vessels approaching restricted areas face immediate recall. If compliance is not achieved, a patrol boat is dispatched to tow the vessel back.
When any fishing boat nears the border within 500 meters, the FMC send
s an SMS alert to the boat owner to notify the crew to proceed cautiously. A dedicated group of watch boats monitors vessel behavior to ensure compliance. Encroachment into a neighboring country’s waters by even 50 meters is illegal and incurs severe fines, deterring boat owners from taking such risks. Since the enactment of the Fisheries Act in 2015, commercial fishing operators have adhered strictly to regulations.
Commercial fishing boats pre-plan coordinates and sailing routes, clearly defining their path and turnaround points. The owner of the boat involved in the Myanmar incident shared an SMS from the Fisheries Department indicating only a proximity warning to the border, with no further alerts of crossing into Myanmar waters, reinforcing that Thai fishing boats did not encroach.
Mr. Suradet highlighted that miscommunications by some agencies have fueled global reports of Thai boats encroaching on Myanmar waters, potentially harming Thailand’s fishing industry. Should Thailand be wrongly perceived as
engaging in IUU fishing, international boycotts could severely impact the industry. It is imperative for relevant agencies to rectify misinformation and convey the truth.
Thailand is in the process of amending its fisheries laws to align with international standards, which may be perceived as facilitating IUU fishing. The Thai Fisheries Association is preparing to petition relevant agencies to negotiate with Myanmar authorities for the return of Thai nationals and vessels, and to establish graduated warning measures starting with non-lethal methods.