Myanmar court suspends jail sentences for Thai fishermen

[ad_1] MAE SOT, Thailand/BANGKOK - A Myanmar court docket jailed 4 Thai fishermen for as much as six years for unlawful intrusion and fishing in its waters however suspended their sentences to keep up good relations between the neighbors, a Thai newspaper reported, including they're anticipated to be launched quickly.

The 4 fishermen had been detained on Nov. 30 together with 27 crewmen from Myanmar, after a Myanmar navy boat had opened fireplace on a number of Thai boats close to the neighbors’ widespread border within the Andaman Sea. One fisherman drowned after he jumped off a Thai boat throughout the capturing and two had been injured.

Thai navy officers cited their Myanmar counterparts as saying the Thai boats had intruded as much as 5.7 miles (9 kilometers) into Myanmar waters.

Thailand and Myanmar have a number of areas of dispute on their lengthy land border in addition to on their maritime border off the southern tip of Myanmar and southwest Thailand, and disagreements often flare up.

Thai international ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura stated on Dec. 5 that the 4 Thais had been launched and had been being processed on the immigration checkpoint within the Myanmar city of Kawthoung. However they by no means confirmed up within the Thai city of Ranong on the opposite facet of a border inlet.

Thailand’s Khaosod newspaper reported on Monday {that a} Kawthoung court docket had sentenced the boat’s captain to 5 years in jail for unlawful fishing in Myanmar waters and one other yr for unlawful entry. It didn't present a supply for its report.

The three different Thais had been every sentenced to 3 years in jail for unlawful fishing in Myanmar waters and an extra one yr for unlawful entry, the newspaper reported.

The court docket had proven mercy after the boat’s captain confessed to fishing for mackerel in Myanmar waters and their jail sentences had been suspended “to keep up good worldwide relations,” the newspaper reported

“All 4 Thai crew members will probably be launched again to Thailand throughout the upcoming New 12 months 2025 festive vacation,” the newspaper stated.

Radio Free Asia was unable to contact the court docket in Kawthoung for remark. Spokesmen for Myanmar’s ruling army had been additionally unavailable for remark.

The Thai international ministry spokesman declined to touch upon the Khaosod report in regards to the suspended sentences, merely saying in a launch: “The actions taken by the Myanmar facet are based mostly on Myanmar regulation concerning international fishing vessels and Myanmar immigration regulation.”