Four Thais Captured by Somali Pirates Arrive Home

BANGKOK, February 28 (TNA) - Four Thai men captured by Somali pirates from a fishing vessel almost five years ago have been released and arrived home on Sunday. The four were welcomed upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport by their relatives and Mr Sek Wannamethee, director-general of Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Information Department. The four were among 24 crew members seized in April 2010 after pirates hijacked the Thailand-flagged fishing vessel FV Prantalay 12, according to an international news agency. Six members of the original crew of 24 died of illness, while another 14 from Myanmar were released in May 2011, the agency said. United Nations Special Representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay has said the FV Prantalay 12 was used by the pirates as a base before it capsized in July 2011. Skipper of the ill-fated ship Charn-narong Navara said after meeting his relatives at the airport that Somali pirates always transferred him and other hostages to different sites during the captivity in order to avoid being found by rescuers. Thanking the U.N. for their assistance, Mr. Chan-narong said: “I don’t know my fate. I only thought that chances for my survival and death were equal”. Rescued fisherman Thanakorn Kaewkumkong said he and other hostages had to “eat flour mixed with beans and sand regularly” and wanted to take a rest for the time being before deciding whether to resume working as a fisherman. (TNA)