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THAILAND

Four freighters, one already loaded with 107 containers of cargo for Singapore, have been bottled up in Thailand since small-scale fisherfolk blockaded Songkhla Bay. The fisherfolk are demanding an end to nocturnal anchovy fishing by boats equipped with powerful lights to attract the fish. Port director Wattanachai Ruanglertpanyakul, of Chao Phraya Universal Company, said exporters had cancelled contracts to ship another 110 containers of cargo through the port. It was likely another freighter due soon to collect 5,000 tons of para rubber for China would be unable to get through the blockade and could turn back, Wattanachai said. Songkhla Bay had been blocked three times in the past two years by protesting fisherfolk, he said.

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