Two Thai ships cleared through Hormuz; fate of 3 crew remains unknown

Iranian and Omani teams have reached the Thai-flagged vessel Mayuree Naree, hit by an Iranian projectile earlier this month near the Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said yesterday.

Further information is being verified, and it is hoped that three missing crew are safe, he added.

Meanwhile, Iran has agreed to Thailand’s request to allow two Thai vessels, one belonging to Bangchak and another to SCG Chemicals, to transit the strait.

Iran asked Thailand to provide a list of relevant vessels and the names of two ships have been submitted so far.

Sihasak said the Bangchak vessel has already passed safely through the area and is now on its way back to Thailand.

On March 11, twenty crew members jumped overboard and were rescued after a projectile struck the vessel’s stern, causing fires and damage to the engine room.

The fate of the three remaining crew members, believed to have been working in the engine room, remains unknown.

Meanwhile, the Iranian Embassy in Thailand posted on social media highlighting the success of coordination between Iran, Thailand and Oman, while stressing the importance of the trilateral friendship.

“We would like to inform the Thai public that, through close cooperation between our two countries and the Sultanate of Oman, a

Thai vessel has passed peacefully through the Strait of Hormuz. We value our friendship and will not forget our friends.”