The nine men languished in the lock-up in Takuapa for four days because their families could not afford the B50,000 per person bail.
Yesterday (October 16), however, their families managed to scrape together enough to buy bail insurance and they were expected to be released yesterday evening. The court has set a trial date of October 25.
However, Pramote Sansawat, an NGO official working with the villagers says the arrests most likely run counter to a cabinet resolution of 2010 which allows indigenous fishermen to fish in national parks using traditional methods.
But a Similans Park official argued that the Sea Gypsies were using more than just traditional equipment. As evidence for the prosecution officers intend to produce the two large fishing boats, rare aquatic animals weighing a total of 300 kilograms, two air pumps, diving suits and diving masks.
Sanit Saechua, who lives in the same village, told The Phuket News on Wednesday (October 17) that the same day the nine men are due to appear in court in Phang Nga, seven others from the village are due in court in Trang to face similar charges after being arrested in November last year for fishing in the Petra Island National Park.