Thais die of AIDS after arrest: official

AMBON, Maluku: Two Thai nationals suffering from the AIDS virus, died as their trawler was impounded by the Indonesian Navy for alleged poaching in Indonesian waters, a local health official claimed.

"We have received information about their deaths and we have also asked the naval base in Ambon (to deal with the matter)," head of Ambon health office, Dr Ristianto Sugiono, said here on Tuesday.

He said other Thais suffering from the disease had been questioned before they were deported to Thailand.

"Another HIV/AIDS patient at the Dr. Haulussy general hospital also died two weeks ago," Ristianto said without mentioning patient's nationality. -- Antara