BANGKOK, 1 July 2015 -Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said there is no need to give illegal fishing boats an extension of the present registration period.
The Prime Minister said the government is unable to agree to the demands of the operators of fishing boats to give them more time, as it would directly affect the export of Thai sea food. General Prayut is asking them to understand what an extension could entail.
Thai National Shipper’s Council Advisor Paiboon Polsuwanna said if they are going to stop work in their protest against the government’s decision, there won’t be enough seafood for domestic consumption.
He added that supplies might have to be imported to maintain the level required to meet local demand for seafood. Mr. Paiboon again encouraged boat operators to have their boats registered before the end of September as Thailand could potentially face a European Union ban on seafood imports in October.
