4 Thais held captive after sea tussle over trawler

SATUN: Negotiations aimed at securing the release of four Thai officials detained by Malaysia’s marine police were under way yesterday evening after Thai authorities intercepted a Malaysian fishing boat that had allegedly invaded Thai waters.

Following the i ncident, local authorities apprehended four Malaysian fishermen and seized their boat while the Malaysian side held the four Thai nationals.

However, Thailand released the Malaysian fishermen on Monday night and was negotiating the release of the three Thai police officers and an assistant village headman as of press time.

The incident took place on Sunday morning when Thai authorities were informed that a fishing boat from Malaysia was spotted in Thai waters.

As a result, officers from Muang Satun Police station and a village headman and his assistant moved to the area near the Thai-Malaysian marine border. They tried to arrest the Malaysian fishermen who then contacted their country’s marine police for help.

The situation escalated when Malaysian police arrived and boats from both sides collided.

The Malaysian fishermen claimed the Thai authorities had tried to rob them but the Thai side said they were trespassing in Thai waters.

The incident ended up with a series of detentions of both sides.

Pol Maj Gen Supawat Thapklew, Satun police commander, said the conflict likely derived from a misunderstanding.

The Thai officials have been provisionally dismissed from their posts pending a probe.

“This doesn’t mean they are guilty,” said Pol Maj Gen Supawat.