The Thai government is waiting to receive a reply from the Myanmar government about when four captured Thai fishing crew are to be set free and returned to Thailand, said Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
The Thai Foreign Ministry has been coordinating with its Myanmar counterpart for the release of the crew, adding Myanmar has its legal processes, which must be followed and that he has no idea when they will be freed.
“I initially thought that the issue could be settled between the local border committees of the two countries. But I just learned that the release of the crew requires approval from the Myanmar government,” he told reporters.
It is still unclear why the Myanmar patrol boat opened fire on a Thai fishing flotilla or whether they had trespassed into Myanmar waters, Phumtham said, however, the Thai Foreign Ministry has already sent a protest note to Myanmar over what it considers was an overreaction.
He also asked the media to refrain from speculating about the timing of the release of the crew.
The Thai fishing vessels were fishing in the seas off Ranong province when they came under fire from Myanmar patrol boats. 31 fishing crew, including four Thais, were captured on November 30.
