BANGKOK, Aug 7 (TNA) – Thai fishing workers who were abandoned aboard fishing boats off Somalia will return to Thailand within this week, said Busadee Santipitaks, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“A flight was reserved for the fishing crew members to return to Thailand and they are likely to arrive in the country within this week. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ready to facilitate their return to Thailand and their families can be assured,” Miss Busadee said.
According to her, the ministry has closely followed up the issue to help the Thai people following reports that employers left them on trawlers in the Somalian waters and they wanted to return to the homeland. The ministry uses diplomatic channels and connection with the International Organization for Migration to help the fishing crew members.
The Thai embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, contacted the Somalian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Somalian embassy in Kenya and received positive responses. Concerned officials in Puntland allowed the fishing crew members to leave the area and promised to support their travel back to Thailand, Miss Busadee said. (TNA)
