Myanmar Spring Chronicle – November 30 Perspective
MoeMaKa, December 1, 2024
Myanmar Navy Shoots Thai Fishing Boat; Bangladeshi Fisherman Reportedly Shot Near Border
In recent days, the Myanmar Navy reportedly fired upon a Thai fishing vessel that had entered Myanmar’s territorial waters for fishing, detaining over 30 workers aboard the boat. This incident occurred near Zadetgyi Island in Myanmar’s Tanintharyi region, within Ranong District in Thailand. Similarly, a Bangladeshi fisherman was reportedly shot by the Myanmar Navy in the sea near the Bangladesh-Myanmar maritime border, according to Bangladeshi sources. This event happened near Saint Martin’s Island in the northern Bay of Bengal, off the western coast of Myanmar’s Rakhine State, on November 27.
The Myanmar military council has denied responsibility, stating that it was not their navy that fired the shots. They further suggested that such incidents could harm bilateral relations and implied that the attacks might have been carried out by the Arakan Army (AA), which is active in the region.
Rakhine State Overview and Conflicts
Currently, most of Rakhine State is under the control of the AA, except for Sittwe (the state capital), a few border guard outposts in Maungdaw Township, and strategically significant locations like Kyaukphyu (home to China’s deep-sea port and gas pipelines) and Ann military headquarters. The Myanmar military still maintains a naval presence in Rakhine’s waters.
Bangladesh, which hosts nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, has undergone political transitions in recent months, with an interim government now in place. During President Thein Sein’s administration, disputes over maritime boundaries between Myanmar and Bangladesh were resolved through an international tribunal.
However, amid the intense armed conflict in Rakhine State over the past year, the AA has expanded its control over large swaths of territory. The AA aims to strengthen direct relations with Bangladesh regarding Rakhine affairs. Meanwhile, Bangladesh continues to face challenges related to hosting the Rohingya refugees for over seven years, seeking resolutions to both the refugee crisis and maritime disputes.
Rohingya rights and persecution, which began long before the recent armed conflicts, further complicate finding solutions. The escalation of violence has made addressing the Rohingya issue more difficult, with no clear resolution in sight. Negotiations involving Bangladesh, the Myanmar military council, and the de facto AA authorities remain uncertain.
Thai Fishing Boat Incident and Border Tensions
The shooting of a Bangladeshi fisherman coincided with growing tensions between Myanmar and its neighbors. While incidents involving Thai fishing boats and the Myanmar Navy have been rare in recent years, the recent attack reflects broader regional tensions.
The Thai military, which has maintained close relations with Myanmar’s military council, recently issued warnings regarding Wa-controlled areas in eastern Shan State. These developments have coincided with reports of the Myanmar military targeting Thai fishing vessels in the Andaman Sea.
Thai-Myanmar Relations and Wa Army Issues
The Thai military has requested the removal of Wa forces from their border regions. Following this, a Thai government adviser visited Naypyidaw to meet with officials from Myanmar’s military council. Reports from BBC Burmese highlighted that the Wa armed group recently began its first conscription drive in southern Shan State, training young Wa recruits.
The Thai military’s pressure on the Wa may be tied to this recruitment campaign. The Wa leadership, however, insists that disputes over border camps should be discussed directly with Myanmar’s military government. As of now, Naypyidaw has not issued a public statement regarding the Thai-Myanmar border situation.
Internal and Regional Challenges
Myanmar’s military council appears to be creating external disputes to divert attention from the ongoing civil war and domestic unrest. This raises suspicions that the regime might be leveraging border tensions for political advantage amidst the escalating internal armed conflicts.