Myanmar releases 31 fishermen including 4 Thai nationals

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – The Myanmar government released 31 fishermen, including four Thai nationals, six days after detaining them for violating the country's territorial waters, local media reported on Friday.

The fishermen were released by Myanmar authorities late Thursday and are expected to arrive in Thailand's Ranong province on Friday, Thailand’s PBS broadcaster reported, without providing details about the nationalities of the 27 others.

The 31 crew members—four Thais and 27 Burmese—were believed to have been taken to Yan Cheuk Island in Myanmar following their detention, the Bangkok Post reported, citing Thailand’s Vice Adm Suwat.

Thai fishing vessels were traveling near the boundary on Saturday when the Myanmar navy encouraged them and opened fire, causing one fisherman to drown and detaining 31 fishermen from one of the boats, the Thai Defence Ministry said after the incident.

Later, Thailand's Foreign Ministry summoned Myanmar's envoy to protest the incident and arrests of Thai citizens.

On Friday, Nikorndej Balankura, a ministry spokesperson, confirmed the fishermen's release and stated that Thai officials would meet them at the border.

"They are currently waiting at the border checkpoint area of Ranong Province," said the spokesperson in Bangkok. However, Balankura did not reveal the other fishermen's nationalities.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid