Vietnam has sent a diplomatic letter demanding an investigation into a recent attack by the Thai Navy on three Vietnamese fishing boats which has left one fisherman missing and two others injured.

According to the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand, Thai naval forces opened fire on three Vietnamese fishing boats from the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre with 18 fishermen on board.

The incident, which happened at around 2pm on July 8, allegedly left two fishermen injured and another missing while two Vietnamese boats sunk in collision with Thai naval vessels, Vietnam’s state media reported.

First Secretary Nguyen Hai Ngoc has identified the two wounded as 28-year-old Nguyen Van Teo and 25-year-old Nguyen Van Linh.

Mr Nguyen added that Teo had been shot in the right leg while Linh had had his shoulder injured.

Both men were taken to shore by Thailand’s helicopter while the remaining 15 crew members were carried onshore by Thai naval vessels, Mr Nguyen said.

A court in Thailand’s Songkhla Province will today try the fishermen, with allegations of trespassing and illegal fishing activities.

– TiVi Tuan-san