Vice Admiral Suwat Donsakul, Director of the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre Region 3 (Thai MECC 3), ordered the operation after the Phuket Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Centre reported unusual activity by the Vanuatu-flagged fishing vessel ‘BLENE’.
The vessel reportedly entered Thai territorial waters at around 1am, travelling at a speed of about 3 knots. Repeated attempts by the Marine Department to make radio contact went unanswered.
Between 2:30am and 5am, the vessel was observed circling in a trawl-like pattern at coordinates 7°54’51"N 089°01’18"E, approximately 20 nautical miles west of Phuket.
HTMS Hua Hin and officers from Thai MECC 3 were dispatched to intercept the vessel. At 5:20pm, the ship was boarded and searched.
According to the Phuket Provincial Office, no fishing gear, aquatic animals or illegal items were found on board. The ship’s captain told officers the vessel had travelled from Russia and was en route to Bangladesh, where it was to be sold.
An investigation of the ship’s movements confirmed that it departed Russia 57 days ago. Thai MECC 3 reported that officers will continue to monitor the vessel until it exits Thai waters.
Thai MECC 3 emphasised its commitment to safeguarding Thailand’s maritime interests and maintaining security in the Andaman Sea.
Thai MECC 3 operates a 24-hour hotline for emergencies, disasters or maritime threats. Assistance can be requested by calling 1465.