Thailand pushes Myanmar to free detained fishermen

BANGKOK: Thailand on Monday summoned the Myanmar ambassador to push for the release of four Thai nationals detained after Myanmar naval vessels reportedly fired on fishing boats.

One fisherman drowned after jumping into the sea during the incident when the Thai boats strayed six to seven kilometres (about four miles) into Myanmar waters on Saturday, the kingdom´s Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Sunday. A total of 31 crew members, including four Thai citizens, were detained, Phumtham said.

Thailand´s director general of East Asian affairs Piyapak Sricharoen on Monday met with Myanmar ambassador Chit Swe, who “expressed his condolences” and said he “would raise the issue with all of those involved, at the highest level of the Myanmar government”, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said in a video statement.