RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that 19 Indonesian crew members detained by Thai maritime authorities earlier this week are receiving legal assistance from the country’s consulate in Songkhla.

The fishermen, arrested on March 10 in Phuket waters during a maritime operation, are accused of illegal fishing. Among them is a 16-year-old minor, according to Acting Director of Citizen Protection at the Foreign Ministry, Heni Hamidah.

She noted that consular officials have already met with the detainees, provided logistical support, and are coordinating with Thai authorities to ensure due process, particularly in the case of the underage crew member.

“All of them are in good health,” Heni said, as quoted by Antara, adding that the group is currently being held at a Phuket court detention facility and may be transferred to a provincial prison as legal proceedings continue.

She stressed that Indonesia’s representatives will monitor the case closely to safeguard the rights of the crew throughout the judicial process.

The fishermen, all from East Aceh district in Aceh Province, were operating two vessels, KM Anak Manja 02, with 13 crew members and a captain, and KM Jalur Gaza, with four crew members and a captain, when they reportedly entered Thai waters illegally.

East Aceh Regent Iskandar Usman Al-Farlaky has formally appealed to the Foreign Minister, urging the central government to intervene. “We have sent a letter to the Foreign Minister through the Directorate General for the Protection of Indonesian Citizens regarding the 19 East Aceh fishermen detained by Thai authorities,” Iskandar said from Banda Aceh on Saturday, March 14, 2026

He expressed hope that the Foreign Ministry would facilitate the case and help secure the fishermen’s return to Indonesia. This incident underscores ongoing challenges faced by Indonesian fishermen operating near international waters, where disputes over maritime boundaries and fishing rights often lead to arrests. ***