PHUKET: Raids are expected more often in coming weeks as the Army and officials attempt to stem illegal migration and illegal fishing in Ranong, the port on the Thai-Burma border north of Phuket.
Authorities began last week with a surprise visit to fishing ''factory'' outlets along a canal where workers produced ID cards and at one outlet, scores of parrot fish were deemed to be not for sale.
The parrot fish were scooped up by a man in a 'Lucifer' t-shirt. Across the floor at the fishing outlets were marine products of all kinds, destined for markets in and around Ranong.
Locals say that because Thai waters have been overfished, virtually all the fish brought ashore in Ranong come from Burmese waters.
A visit to Ranong provides an insight into how a port functions when the population of Burmese appears to probably outnumber the Thai locals.
Tourism seems to be increasing, with European back-packers in growing numbers and guesthouses under construction.
Ranong has the carefree approach of a destination for transients, without any of the greed evident on Phuket further south. Costs are considerably lower and the port has enough tourist attractions to deserve a growing number of visitors.
At the fish ''factories,'' many of the workers live in rooms that overhang the market floors. It cannot be an easy life.
We spotted a couple of children and were told that's the exception rather than the rule. School holidays leave some kids with nowhere else to go.
Potential buyer scanned the floors and opened the gills of fish occasionally to check for freshness.
It was an outing that turned up nothing except parrot fish. But raids around the clock are coming, we're assured, and the port has hundreds of fish ''factories.''
Authorities began last week with a surprise visit to fishing ''factory'' outlets along a canal where workers produced ID cards and at one outlet, scores of parrot fish were deemed to be not for sale.
The parrot fish were scooped up by a man in a 'Lucifer' t-shirt. Across the floor at the fishing outlets were marine products of all kinds, destined for markets in and around Ranong.
Locals say that because Thai waters have been overfished, virtually all the fish brought ashore in Ranong come from Burmese waters.
A visit to Ranong provides an insight into how a port functions when the population of Burmese appears to probably outnumber the Thai locals.
Tourism seems to be increasing, with European back-packers in growing numbers and guesthouses under construction.
Ranong has the carefree approach of a destination for transients, without any of the greed evident on Phuket further south. Costs are considerably lower and the port has enough tourist attractions to deserve a growing number of visitors.
At the fish ''factories,'' many of the workers live in rooms that overhang the market floors. It cannot be an easy life.
We spotted a couple of children and were told that's the exception rather than the rule. School holidays leave some kids with nowhere else to go.
Potential buyer scanned the floors and opened the gills of fish occasionally to check for freshness.
It was an outing that turned up nothing except parrot fish. But raids around the clock are coming, we're assured, and the port has hundreds of fish ''factories.''
Overfishing, by now done for many years, indeed left most thai waters empty. Fish breeding grounds were without future thinking just scraped empty. In Europe biological scientist look continuesly how the fish is doing. Yearly European Union set the fishing quotes. So many tons of this, so many tons of that. Also the fishing nets of fishing trawlers are checked to make sure young fish can escape. All to make sure that seas are not becoming empty and next generations of people can eat fish too. Good idea for Thailand, fish quotes? Thinking about 'tomorrow'?
Posted by Kurt on March 24, 2015 10:22