Forty four fishermen from three Pran Talay fishing boats robbed and captured by Somalia pirates in April last year were returned to Thailand earlier this week.
The men, who say they are lucky to be alive, arrived at the Ranong Port in Pak Nam sub-district, Ranong province on Tuesday, after being rescued by the Indian navy.
The crew of 37 Burmese and seven Thai men, were on one of three Pran Talay fishing boats captured by the pirates. One boat has been sunk, while the other still remains under the control of the pirates.
Owner of the Pran Talay fishing boats, Songsaeng Patavanich, said 18 crew members are still being held hostage and the pirates are demanding US$2million for the return of them and the boat.
Mr Songsaeng said all three boats—Pran Talay 11, 12 and 14—left Ranong on April 7, 2010. The boats were heading to fish of the coast of Djibouti, north of Somalia.
Mr Songsaeng said on the morning of April 18 last year he was told the boats had been captured by armed Somalia pirates near the Lakshadweep islands. The pirates forced the crew members to take boats to Somalia.
Mr Songsaeng said that he had occasional communication with his crew members who said they were moored off the Geragaad Coast of Somalia.
“During that time, the pirates also used all three boats to rob other boats,’’ he said.
Mr Songsaeng said he tried to contact the Djibouti Government to help negotiate with the pirates, but had no luck.
On January 18, 2011, around 25 Somalia pirates used the Pran Talay 14 to rob other merchant ships.
Ten days later the pirates were confronted by the Indian Navy and gunfire broke out, sinking the Pran Talay 14, and forcing all the crew and pirates on-board into the sea.
Fifteen pirates were arrested following the incident, and 20 crew members were taken to the Thai Embassy in Mumbai.
On February 6, Mr Songsaeng received news from the Pran Talay 11 that the Indian Navy were again fighting with Somalia pirates, who later surrendered.
More crew members were rescued and a further 28 pirates arrested.
Those crew members returned to Ranong on Tuesday were taken to Ranong Hospital for health check ups. Some required treatment for injuries sustained when jumping overboard.
- Photo by the Third Naval Command.