Thailand denounces Iranian attack on ship
- Bangkok Post
- 39 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Ambassador summoned in Bangkok as efforts continue to rescue three trapped sailors.
Writer: Bloomberg and AFP
Published: March 12, 2026
Thailand on Thursday denounced the attack on a Thai-flagged cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and summoned Iran’s ambassador, as authorities race to rescue three crew members feared trapped aboard the damaged ship.
The bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was struck on Wednesday by Iranian projectiles while transiting the strategic waterway without cargo. Of the 23 crew members on board, 20 were rescued by the Omani navy after abandoning the vessel in a lifeboat.
The three missing sailors were trapped in the engine room at the stern, where the ship was hit and a fire broke out, according to its owner, SET-listed Precious Shipping Plc.
Thai diplomats in Muscat are working with Omani authorities on rescue efforts, said Panidone Pachimsawat, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
All Thai vessels have left the Strait of Hormuz and Bangkok had “protested against the violence done to the commercial ships”, Mr Panidone told reporters.
'Gravely concerned'
Thailand was “gravely concerned about the dire situation in the Middle East, precipitated by Israeli and US attacks and followed by retaliation by Iran”, the ministry said in a statement.
It warned that the ongoing violence risks further escalating tensions in the region and beyond.
“The situation poses serious threats to the lives and safety of innocent civilians,” the ministry said, urging all parties to respect international law, “exercise utmost restraint and immediately de-escalate tensions”.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that they had struck the Mayuree Naree, as well as a Liberia-flagged vessel, in the Hormuz strait because the ships had ignored “warnings”.
“Three crew members are reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room,” Precious Shipping said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, that remains the case,” managing director Khalid Hashim told AFP on Thursday.
“We still have not been able to get anyone to board our ship, even though the fire has been extinguished,” he said.
“We are trying different avenues to get onboard.”
© Bangkok Post PCL
