The Cambodian government has formally protested what it described as “an unauthorised incursion” by the Thai Navy into Cambodian territorial waters. They demanded the return of three Cambodian fishermen and their seized boat.
According to Thai media, Thailand’s First Naval Area Command reported the seizure of one Cambodian fishing boat at latitude 11°31.51’ N and longitude 102°53.40’ E, within Thai waters, on Sunday, February 22.
It started that an inspection found three Cambodian crew members who were unable to communicate in Thai and had no identification documents or lawful vessel entry/exit paperwork.
In a same-day February 22 press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation contended that Thai forces were operating in Cambodian waters.
“Three Cambodian nationals were arrested and their fishing vessel confiscated at a location approximately 7.2 nautical miles from Koh Yor, in Koh Kong province,” said the Cambodia statement.
“These actions constitute a clear violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial waters, as well as international law,” it added.
Cambodia called on Thailand to release the detained fishermen and return their vessel immediately, cease all unauthorised naval patrols and law enforcement activities within Cambodian waters, and take measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
