Thais allowed to resume fishing in Cambodian waters

TRAT, Dec 1 (TNA) – Local authorities resumed issuing licenses to Thai trawlers to fish in Cambodian water on Wednesday, said Thitikorn Lohakup, chairman of the Trat fisheries association.

Mr Thitikorn said he was informed by a Koh Kong official that a meeting of the Koh Kong authorities finalised fisheries regulations on Tuesday and agreed to allow Thai fishermen to seek licenses to fish in Cambodian waters at a temporary office opposite the Koh Kong Resort from Thursday onwards.

Cambodia's Defence Minister Gen. Tea Banh last week asserted that Cambodia has not closed its waters near Koh Kong as earlier reported. He said that fisheries concession procedures were being amended and that it would not affect the livelihood of the both peoples.

"I reaffirm that we will try to avoid doing things which (negatively) affect the daily life and the living of peoples to prevent any dispute," the Cambodian defence minister said. "There has been some adjustment of concession regulations recently, and if the licence has expired, fishermen can ask for renewal of their licence without any problem."

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday reaffirmed that the Thai government will not close the Thai-Cambodian border as it has concern for the well-being of the population living along the border.

Mr Suthep reminded the public that the diplomatic row between Thailand and Cambodia flared up right after the visit to Phnom Penh of former Thai premier Gen. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and the appointment of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

Prime Minister Abhisit has continued to assert that political and diplomatic retaliation is separate matters, and the commitments made by the two countries which are beneficial to their citizens, particularly aid projects, will not be revoked, Mr Suthep said. (TNA)