Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 23/2 accused the Royal Thai Navy of arresting a fishing boat and three fishermen in Cambodian waters the previous day, approximately 7,2 nautical miles from Koh Yor island in Koh Kong province.

The Royal Thai Navy later confirmed that its patrol vessel T.996 carried out the arrest and released the vessel's operational route, aiming to prove that the Cambodian fishing boat was apprehended in Thai waters, about 2 nautical miles from the maritime border between the two countries.

According to the released route, the T.996 departed from Khlong Yai port in Trat province at 7 a.m. on 22/2 for a patrol mission. It then detected a suspicious fishing boat "illegally fishing in Thai waters" at 9:30 a.m. The Royal Thai Navy proceeded to identify, inspect, and seize the vessel.

The wooden boat was painted blue with white stripes, bore no name, and had no registration number. It was approximately 3 meters wide and 11 meters long, equipped with a Hyundai 4-cylinder engine without a serial number.

The Royal Thai Navy inspects a Cambodian fishing boat on 22/2. Photo: Khmer Times

The Royal Thai Navy inspects a Cambodian fishing boat on 22/2. Photo: Khmer Times

Upon inspection, the Royal Thai Navy also discovered that the three Cambodian crew members could not produce vessel documents or personal identification. The three stated they were hired by a Cambodian boat owner, went fishing in a group of several different boats, and "did not know they had entered Thai waters."

The T.996 then escorted the fishing boat and its three crew members back to Khlong Yai at 2 p.m. Thailand announced it would proceed with legal procedures as regulated.

Cambodia has not yet commented on the operational route released by the Royal Thai Navy. In its 22/2 statement, Phnom Penh protested the arrest as illegal, calling on Thailand to release the three fishermen and return the fishing boat.

The fishing boat was likely arrested in a disputed area of approximately 26,000 square kilometers, known as the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA) between Thailand and Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding in 2001 to delineate maritime boundaries and cooperate on resource exploration in the OCA, but a final agreement has not been reached.

The Overlapping Claims Area (red) between Thailand and Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. Photo: Thairath

The Overlapping Claims Area (red) between Thailand and Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. Photo: Thairath

Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand escalated into a border conflict last year, resulting in dozens of deaths and the evacuation of nearly one million people in the two countries. The Royal Thai Navy at that time also conducted its first deep incursions into Cambodian territory.

After several fierce clashes, the two countries signed a ceasefire agreement in 12/2025. However, Cambodia accuses Thai forces of still occupying several areas deep within its territory, while Bangkok states it maintains military positions to serve de-escalation measures.

Duc Trung (According to Nation, Khmer Times)