20 Thai crew return after Strait of Hormuz ship attack, but 3 remain missing
Twenty Thai crew members from Precious Shipping Public Company Limited (PSL) arrived in Thailand yesterday, March 15, after being rescued following a Strait of Hormuz ship attack on March 11. Three crew members remain missing.
PSL’s cargo ship Mayuree Naree was attacked by Iranian forces at about 11.30am on March 11 while travelling from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to India. The attack struck the vessel’s engine room and caused a fire.
The Royal Navy of Oman rescued 20 Thai crew members, while three others remained on the ship. The Royal Thai Navy confirmed on March 13 that the three crew members were still alive, but said the rescue team was unable to reach the ship due to ongoing attacks near the strait.
The three Thai nationals awaiting rescue were identified as an electrician, Kiattisak Pawaphuchakae, an engineer, Panupong Muentaen, and a mechanic, Chawalit Chaiyawong.
PSL said its officers had maintained communication with relevant agencies before departing the pier in the UAE. The company said it would facilitate the return of all rescued Thai nationals as soon as possible.
In an update yesterday, March 15, PSL reported that all 20 rescued crew members arrived in Thailand via Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Members of the company’s managing board and officials from the Ministry of Labour welcomed them on arrival.
The company said it would provide welfare support for the crew, including physical and mental health check-ups. PSL added that its top priority remains the rescue mission for the three crew members still on the ship.
Songkrod Chaiyawong, the father of missing crew member Chawalit, told ThaiRath that his son had worked on the ship for around five years since the pandemic. He said Chawalit earned 30,000 baht a month and regularly transferred money to him and his wife.
Songkrod said a few days before the attack, Chawalit called his mother to say he was about to travel to India. The family said they did not hear from Chawalit again until they learned about the attack on the cargo ship.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, told media today, March 16, that he had spoken by phone with Iran’s Foreign Affairs Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi. Sihasak said he requested Iran’s support in the rescue mission for the missing Thai nationals.
Sihasak added that he also discussed permission for Thai vessels to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz. He said Thailand maintains its position in calling on all parties to negotiate and use diplomatic processes to ease tensions.
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