Five Vietnamese trawlers seized by Thai navy

Naval officers on board the HTMS Khirirat patrol ship spotted five Vietnamese fishing vessels encroaching Thai waters at around 2.30pm on April 4. After sending a warning signal, the Thai patrol ship approached and searched the Vietnamese fishing vessels.

All 16 crewmen found in those vessels were subsequently caught, some of them were injured while trying to flee. The injured were given first aid. All were then taken to a naval base in Trat.

Captain Kongkrit Ponyin, commander of the HTMS Khirirat, said five Vietnamese trawlers had encroached on Thai waters to catch fish and squid for 15 days.

The capture was followed a tip-off from local fishermen.