When contacted by The Phuket News, chief of the Phuket Marine Office, Phuriphat Teerakulpisut said, “I cannot give any comment or detail about this now.”
However, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy's Third Naval Area Command, Vice Admiral Sayan Prasongsamrej said, “After being informed about the vessel leaving the deep sea port at 10am on September 8 we sent out a helicopter and navy vessel to look for the Kunlun, or Taichan, but found nothing.
“The Royal Thai Navy were not involved when the boat was first captured and i donʼt want to interefere with other departmentʼs work so i am unable to explain to media anything else about the case.”
Jumpon Lumphikanon, Director of the Command Center for Combating Illegal Fishing added, “I know that it happened, however, our duty is monitoring, controlling and surveying for illegal fishing in Thailand. The issue of the Kunlun leaving Phuket is the responsibilty of the Phuket Marine Office.
“They informed Vichit police about the vessel escaping from the deep sea port.
“The Command Center for Combating Illegal Fishing does not have the authority to act against illegal vessels like the Marine Office does,” he said.
The boat was seized on arrival in Phuket on March 6 after its crew had successfully fled the Australian and new Zealand navies with its illegal load of toothfish. (See story here)
At last report, Authorities in Phuket are waiting for word from Bangkok on what to do with the alleged illegal fishing vessel. (See story here)