A 15-year-old boy, identified as MY from East Aceh, was detained by Thai maritime authorities while fishing during his school holidays. Seeking to earn extra money, he joined acquaintances on a fishing trip, which unexpectedly led to his arrest along with 19 other Indonesian crew members in Phuket waters on March 11, 2026. The Indonesian Consulate in Songkhla facilitated his eventual repatriation after more than six weeks of detention.
MY, who had never fished at sea before, was aboard the KM. Aneuk Manja 02 for eight days when the Thai authorities conducted an operation that resulted in his arrest. Waking up to find himself in a foreign country, he was shocked to face legal proceedings. The Indonesian Consul Winardi H. Lucky confirmed that KRI Songkhla provided consular access and support to MY and his colleagues during this challenging time.
On April 23, 2026, the Phuket Juvenile and Family Court suspended MY’s sentence, allowing for his immediate deportation. He was temporarily housed at a Special Child Shelter until arrangements for his return were finalized. Accompanied by KRI Songkhla staff, MY arrived back in Indonesia on April 30, 2026, where he was received by local authorities for further support. The repatriation process involved coordination among various Indonesian governmental bodies.
Share it now
