This is the dramatic moment the crew of a fishing boat clashed with marine police during an alleged ‘sea rage’ incident.

The chaos unfolded when local fisherman Pradit Ruangpeung, 57, said he was collecting shellfish when the police boat deliberating crashed into him.

The vessel allegedly chased him off the patch before a distress call was made to coastguards in Chonburi, Thailand.

Pradit said: ‘I went out to get some shells, but some ship chased me, I tried to escape but the ship crashed into me. We don’t know what else to do if we’re not fishing, it’s always been our way of life for years.’

He added that he heard the fishing boat shout ‘shoot them’.

Police Colonel Nitat Wanpradab said Pradit’s fishing boat was chased by the officer’s as it was allegedly fishing illegally.

Locals are only allowed to wade through the shallows and should not take longboats into the restricted area.

He said that marine police were enforcing the law when the ‘sea rage’ followed.

The policeman added: ‘A complaint was made by the Marine Fisheries Prevention and Suppression Unit in Chonburi that they were hit by a local fishing boat.

‘Someone was injured and their boat was damaged. We will collect evidence for the court to issue an arrest warrant.

‘Initially, we are looking at charges of attempted murder, damage of property and breaking the Fisheries Act.’