The team inspected a total of three trawlers. Altogether there were 48 crew on board, but the four were the only ones who did not have work permits and identification documents when asked by officers.
Phuket Immigration Police have charged them with illegally entering Thailand and are in jail at the immigration police station awaiting deportation back to Myanmar.
Pol Lt Col Suban Krudpan, of Phuket Immigration Police told The Phuket News that the four were charged only with entering Thailand illegally, and not for working illegally, as they were actually asleep on the vessel when they were found.
This was also the reason given as to why the boat operator was not charged with any offence.