More Thai fishermen in Indonesia to be sent home

BANGKOK, March 26 (TNA) - More stranded Thai fishing crewmen from Indonesia's Ambon Island are expected to be sent back home by late this week. Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sek Wannamethee, who is also the ministry's Director-General of the Department of Information, told journalists on Thursday that the Thai Embassy in Jakarta has arranged for the return trip of 21 more Thai crewmen from Ambon Island and they are expected to be back to Thailand on March 27. Sek said that his ministry has continued helping Thai fishing crewmen stranded in Indonesia and it has sent 146 Thai crewmen back to Thailand on a voluntary basis since October 2014. Sek also praised Indonesia for its continued support and assistance in the matter. Meanwhile, Assistant National Police Chief Police Lieutenant General Saritchai Anekwiang, who is also advisor to Social Development and Human Security Minister Police General Adul Saengsingkaew, together with representatives of concerned agencies, including those of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Consular Affairs, will leave for Ambon Island on March 27 to arrange for further assistance of other Thai fishing crewmen detained there. (TNA)