Koh Kong provincial authorities intervened yesterday to seek the repatriation of 50 Cambodian citizens who were arrested while fishing illegally in Thai territory on Sunday morning, a Mondul Seima district official confirmed.

“Right now, the Koh Kong provincial governor is negotiating with Thai officials for the release of the Cambodians and their fishing boats,” Hak Leng, Mondul Seima district governor, said yesterday.

The Cambodians were arrested by the Thai coastguard off Trat province, and the 11 fishing boats they were travelling in were seized, Leng said.

Two of the boats belonged to fishermen from Dang Tong commune, in Smach Meanchey district, and nine belonged to fishermen from Bak Khlang commune, in Mondul Seima district.

The fisherman could be free in three days, Koh Kong Provincial Governor Bun Lert said yesterday. “The Thai authorities are interrogating them and preparing their documents.”

The fishermen are now staying at the coastguard station in Koh Kroun, in Trat, he added.