Court jails four Thais

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Four Thai fishermen were given jail time by the district court yesterday for fishing illegally, Antara reported.

Prayong Koson, 24, and Kritsanook Sea Theng, 26, received four months and a Rp 3.5 million (US$1,200) fine each while Somkit Knongphet, 41, and Sook Chien Khrongphet, 30, received five months and a Rp 5 million fine each.

They were found guilty of fishing in the Tanjung Puting waters without a license. Their license was to fish in the open South China Sea.

The four pleaded guilty, the news agency said.

The court ordered the government to return the impounded boats and fishing equipment to the owners. (emb)