ID :
155248
Wed, 12/29/2010 - 13:54
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/155248
The shortlink copeid
Attempts to rescue Thai crew members from Somali pirates continue
BANGKOK, Dec 29 (TNA) - Thai Navy chief Adm Kamthorn Phumhirun on Wednesday (Dec 29) admitted that anti-piracy naval ships were still unable to rescue the 27 Thai crew members who were held hostage by Somali pirates but attempts to save the victims continued.
Somali pirates hijacked Thai-flagged MV Thor Nexus cargo ship 350 kilometers off the famous coastal resort town of Salalah of Oman on December 24 while the ship was leaving the United Arab Emirates for Bangladesh. All the 27 crew members who are Thai are captured aboard.
Adm Kamthorn said that naval officers were still unable to rescue the victims. Whenever naval ships approached the hijacked vessel, the pirates threatened to hurt the hostages.
Adm Kamthorn admitted that naval officers were at a disadvantage and could do nothing because they had to ensure the safety of the hostages. Besides, any actions may have impacts on some fishing boats that had been seized before naval ships were deployed to suppress piracy near the Somali waters.
However, the Thai Navy chief said that the 27 Thai people were still safe but if they were hurt or were likely to be assaulted, naval officers would take actions as planned.
According to the Navy chief, pirates have seized 29 ships and demanded ransoms for over 600 hostages. The hijacked ships belong to many nations including world powers. In these two years, no parties opt to launch an attack to rescue hostages.
As the original schedule of the Thai naval ships deployed to suppress piracy off Somali is about to end, Adm Kamthorn said he already verbally asked the Thai defense minister for approval for the Thai naval ships to continue with their missions until the situation is relieved.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon said he already informed the cabinet that the deployment of the Thai naval ships was extended so that they could finish the rescue mission. He sent his moral support to all officers aboard and confirmed that their operations would be seriously based on the safety of the Thai hostages.(TNA)
Somali pirates hijacked Thai-flagged MV Thor Nexus cargo ship 350 kilometers off the famous coastal resort town of Salalah of Oman on December 24 while the ship was leaving the United Arab Emirates for Bangladesh. All the 27 crew members who are Thai are captured aboard.
Adm Kamthorn said that naval officers were still unable to rescue the victims. Whenever naval ships approached the hijacked vessel, the pirates threatened to hurt the hostages.
Adm Kamthorn admitted that naval officers were at a disadvantage and could do nothing because they had to ensure the safety of the hostages. Besides, any actions may have impacts on some fishing boats that had been seized before naval ships were deployed to suppress piracy near the Somali waters.
However, the Thai Navy chief said that the 27 Thai people were still safe but if they were hurt or were likely to be assaulted, naval officers would take actions as planned.
According to the Navy chief, pirates have seized 29 ships and demanded ransoms for over 600 hostages. The hijacked ships belong to many nations including world powers. In these two years, no parties opt to launch an attack to rescue hostages.
As the original schedule of the Thai naval ships deployed to suppress piracy off Somali is about to end, Adm Kamthorn said he already verbally asked the Thai defense minister for approval for the Thai naval ships to continue with their missions until the situation is relieved.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon said he already informed the cabinet that the deployment of the Thai naval ships was extended so that they could finish the rescue mission. He sent his moral support to all officers aboard and confirmed that their operations would be seriously based on the safety of the Thai hostages.(TNA)
