The leader of the visiting EU inspection team was supportive of the government's efforts to end illegal fishing practices on Monday, as Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon brushed off threats from boat owners to go on strike against what they see as overly strict new regulations.

After meeting Gen Prawit at the Defence Ministry, Stefaan Depypere, the EU's director for international ocean governance and sustainable fisheries, said Thailand had made much progress in dealing with the problem of illegal fishing practices.

The government had shown its determination in trying to solve the problems. He supported the government in its efforts and thanked it for setting a good example to the international community.

Before the meeting on Monday morning, Gen Prawit told media that talks had been held with the disgruntled boat owners.

"I believe they will not stop working," he said.

On Sunday, about 3,000 trawler owners in Phangnga vowed to stage a massive strike on Tuesday and send representatives to Government House, saying that local officials had failed to listen to their complaints.

New rules have been imposed to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing following a warning by the European Union that imports of Thai fish products could be banned. However, the fishermen say many boats are ignoring them out of necessity.

Gen Prawit said on Monday that officials from state agencies had already discussed the problem with the fishermen's representatives and that should stop the situation from escalating further.

Fisheries associations in Phangnga and Trat have made their complaints publicly, with EU officials here for a weeklong visit to inspect ports and the effectiveness of the country's legal measures against IUU fishing.

Concerns over the use of forced labour resulted in the European Commission issuing a yellow card to Thailand in April 2015. Failure to enforce adequate solutions could lead to the EU banning imports of Thai fish products, with losses estimated at up to US$300 million.

Surapong Intaraprasert, adviser to the Fisheries Association of Trat, said last Wednesday that one rule in particular, which sets strict hours for working and rest, was largely being ignored because fishing boats work around the clock.

Bunchu Phaeyai, chairman of Phangnga Fisheries Association, told Naewna Newspaper on Sunday, his group had informed local officials of the problems with such overly strict rules, but they had not come up with a solution.

A strike was their last resort, Mr Bunchu said.