Thai trawlers barred from entering Indonesian waters

SONGKHLA, THAILAND, March 25 (TNA) - Hundreds of Thai fishing boats cannot enter the Indonesian waters now, as Indonesian authorities have prohibited them from doing so since March 9, 2014 because they suspect the crew of a Thai trawler of killing two Indonesian naval officers in their waters. The situation leaves ports of fishing boats in Songkhla Province in the Thai South deserted. Local authorities told journalists on Tuesday that the Royal Thai Police has informed the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok of progress in an investigation into the case and asked for the reopening of the Indonesian waters to Thai fishing boats. Police Major General Chavalit Sawaengphuet, Deputy Commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 9, who heads the investigative team, said that Thai police have already identified seven of 12 suspected crew members and reached two of them and their accounts are useful, while the police are looking for the 10 other workers, acknowledging that the investigative progress has satisfied Indonesian authorities though the motive of the killing has reamined unclear. Royal Thai Police Spokesman Police Major General Piya Utayo told reporters, meanwhile, that after the Royal Thai Police have discussed with the Indonesian government, both sides have agreed to have the probe of the case be officially carried out by the Thai investigators because the incident took place on a Thai fishing boat. While waiting for the Indonesian Embassy to Thailand to file an official complaint on the matter, the spokesman said the Royal Thai Police has ordered the Provincial Police Region 9 to gather all evidence within three days. The police spokesman noted that preliminary findings showed that there were 12 people on board the ship, including the owner and crew members, and the police believe 10 of them involved in the killing. According to sources, more than 500 fishing boats in the central and southern regions are unable to enter the Indonesian waters for the time being and if the situation is prolonged, Thailand'd seafood supplies will drop and consumers will be affected. An association of fishing operators in Songkhla is trying to convince Indonesia to reopen its waters. (TNA)