The National Fisheries Association of Thailand has urged police to hasten an investigation into a man who claims he was unlawfully detained on a trawler for more than 15 years.
Talerng: Claims he was cheated
National Fisheries Association president Mongkol Sukcharoenkhana said the issue had captured the public's interest and undermined the country's efforts to deal with illegal unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
"Personally, I think it is impossible for one person to be forced to stay on a boat for so many years without a chance to get back on the mainland," he said.
"The fact is that trawlers must undergo maintenance every three to five years.
"What he said is very non-sensical and completely destroys the good atmosphere of IUU problem-solving."
He said the association is going to submit the petition letter to the Royal Thai Police to quickly look into the matter.
Mr Mongkol said he found the report about the alleged detention over a long period contradicts the reality of Thai fisheries.
He said the issue of human trafficking came to light just five years ago.
The media report of Talerng Yongphukhiew, a 54 year-old native of Uttaradit, gained massive attention, and started to taint the already embattled reputation of human rights and labour standards of Thai fisheries.
Mr Talerng told Thai Rath -- a daily newspaper with a massive circulation -- that he had been cheated to endure back-breaking work on a trawler for more than 15 years without getting paid.
He said he just returned from the sea and had to work in many places to collect enough money to buy a bicycle to ride back to his home in Uttaradit where he left his family 30 years ago.
His story hit the headlines close to a visit of EU delegates who will inspect the government's progress on IUU fishing from April 4 to 11.
The issue of human trafficking is still its prime concern as the EU called on the government to deal with the case.
Police spokesman Krisana Pattanacharoen said the initial investigation found Mr Talerng gave "very confusing testimony".
Mr Talerng reportedly can't remember the name of the trawlers he worked on. Nor can he remember the name of any of his co-workers or the name of the port he docked at.
Mr Talerng refused to accompany police to identify the port he arrived at and where he reportedly escaped.
