Bangkok: “Narumon” has ordered the Fisheries Department to inspect the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to find the coordinates of a ship that was reportedly fired upon by Myanmar. The Minister of Agriculture has directed the Department of Fisheries to verify whether Thai fishing boats have trespassed into Myanmar waters. All vessels weighing 30 gross tons or more are mandated to be equipped with a VMS, which enables real-time monitoring through satellite technology. Once the data is clear, discussions with security agencies will be initiated to address the situation.
According to Thai News Agency, Prof. Narumon Pinyosinwat, the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, has instructed Mr. Bancha Sukkaew, the Director-General of the Department of Fisheries, to investigate the precise location of the Thai fishing vessel at the time of the incident with Myanmar authorities. The investigation aims to determine if the vessel remained in Thai waters, was in an overlapping area, or had indeed encroached into Myanmar’
s territorial waters.
As per the Department of Fisheries’ regulations, commercial fishing vessels of 30 gross tons or more must install a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). This system, employed globally to combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing, uses internet technology, satellite coordinates (GPS), and mobile networks (GSM) to provide real-time location tracking and historical data of fishing vessels.
The Minister emphasized that once the information is verified, prompt discussions with the security sector will follow to resolve the issue. He expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased fishermen and concern for those injured and in custody of Myanmar authorities.
The Director-General of the Fisheries Department has tasked the Ranong Provincial Fisheries Office with coordinating efforts with the Ranong Provincial Maritime Interests Protection Center (RPMPC). They are closely monitoring the situation and issuing warnings to fishing vessels to exercise caution when operating near the
Thai-Myanmar border for safety reasons.