Working Conditions Aboard the Mayuree-Naree

Efforts by Thai authorities to find the three missing crew members of the 'Mayuree Naree' continue as tragic developments unfold in the aftermath of the vessel's attack in the Strait of Hormuz. The three crew members were believed to be trapped in the engine room after the incident. On March 30, Panidol Patchimsawat, the acting director-general of the Department of Information and deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that the ministry has been actively pursuing leads regarding the missing individuals since the attack occurred. A significant update came on April 3 when human remains were retrieved from the engine room, although at that time, no identification or specifics regarding the number of remains had been made public. By April 8, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow held a press conference confirming the deaths of the three seafarers. Minister Phuangketkeow had previously reached out to his counterparts in Oman on March 12 and Iran on March 15 to secure assistance for the 20 Thai crew members aboard the vessel, including the three who are now confirmed deceased. The vessel's owner, Precious Shipping Public Company, has dispatched specialized search and rescue (SAR) teams to carry out inspections of the stricken ship. These operations have faced obstacles due to fire damage and flooding within the engine room. Nonetheless, teams are conducting diligent searches in all accessible areas, yet there has been no sign of the three crew members thus far. Currently, the 'Mayuree Naree' remains grounded in shallow waters off Qeshm Island.

Thai officials are intensifying their search for three missing crew members of the 'Mayuree Naree' following a tragic attack in the Strait of Hormuz. The crew members are believed to have been trapped in the ship's engine room during the incident. On March 30, Panidol Patchimsawat, the acting director-general at the Department of Information and deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that efforts to locate the missing personnel have been ongoing since the attack. On April 3, authorities reported the discovery of human remains within the engine room, though as of now, there has been no identification or clarification on the number of remains found. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeaw has been proactive, reaching out to his counterparts in Oman on March 12 and Iran on March 15 to seek assistance for the ship's crew, which includes 20 Thai nationals, three of whom remain unaccounted for. The vessel's owner, Precious Shipping Public Company, has mobilized specialized Search and Rescue (SAR) teams to assess the damaged ship. Unfortunately, the operation has faced challenges due to fire damage and flooding in the engine room, but teams have thoroughly searched all accessible areas. Currently, the 'Mayuree Naree' remains stranded in shallow waters near Qeshm Island, with no sign of the missing crew members yet.

The 'Mayuree Naree' has become stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, following a harrowing attack over two weeks prior on March 11. The vessel ran aground on March 27, close to the village of Ramchah on Qeshm Island, which is situated near the Iranian coast. In an update provided on March 24, Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow addressed ongoing efforts to locate three Thai crew members who remain unaccounted for. A collaborative rescue mission involving Iranian and Omani authorities successfully reached the 'Mayuree Naree', yet the status of the missing individuals continues to be uncertain. The ship has since been moved to the northern coast of Lark Island, approximately ten kilometers east of its original location in Qeshm County.

The derelict ship 'Mayuree Naree' has unexpectedly navigated from Omani waters into Iranian territory, raising concerns for the safety of the three Thai sailors still aboard. On March 15, the Royal Thai Navy was alerted by Oman’s Royal Navy that the abandoned vessel had exited Omani territorial limits. In response, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry has initiated dialogues with Iranian officials to ensure the crew's welfare as they are believed to be stranded on the compromised ship. Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Navy is actively monitoring developments and collaborating with regional partners, including Oman and the UAE. Oman has expressed its readiness to resume surveillance should the vessel re-enter its waters.

The crew of the ill-fated vessel 'Mayuree Naree,' a ship with Thai national sailors, has returned home following a harrowing incident in the Strait of Hormuz. On March 11, the vessel was struck by two projectiles, reportedly fired by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The 20 repatriated crew members landed at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on March 16, with all members safe but still shaken from the ordeal. Unfortunately, the search continues for three missing sailors who are believed to be trapped in the damaged engine room. The IRGC has asserted that the ship violated warnings regarding its passage through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. In response to the incident, Precious Shipping, the ship's owner, has committed to supporting the crew members, offering necessary medical examinations and mental health evaluations as the highest priority remains locating the missing sailors.

In a significant diplomatic move, the Royal Thai Government has officially protested against the Islamic Republic of Iran following the attack on the civilian vessel 'Mayuree Naree' in the Strait of Hormuz. On March 12, Sirilak Niyom, the Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, met with Iranian Ambassador to Thailand, Nassereddin Heidari, to express Thailand's strong condemnation of the incident that occurred as the 'Mayuree Naree' was leaving Khalifa Port. During the meeting, Niyom articulated Thailand's demands for a formal apology from Iran and urged for a detailed explanation concerning the circumstances that led to the attack on the ship. The 'Mayuree Naree' had adhered to the established maritime security protocols and had implemented comprehensive security measures prior to the incident. Ambassador Heidari conveyed his regret over the event and promised to relay Thailand's protest to senior officials back in Iran for further examination. The attack has raised serious concerns, compelling Precious Shipping Public Company Limited (SET: PSL), the vessel's owner, to provide temporary accommodation for the 20 crew members who were safely rescued The search continues for three crew members reported missing. The Royal Thai Navy, along with Thailand’s Marine Department and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is coordinating rescue efforts with agencies in Oman, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), and related partners. Admiral Thadawut Thatpitakkul, chief of staff of the Royal Thai Navy, confirmed that while the three missing crew members have been located alive, rescue operations face significant challenges due to the ongoing conflict in the vicinity. Intermittent gunfire makes it unfeasible for official rescue teams to safely board the stricken vessel. As part of the rescue mission, liaison officers from the Royal Thai Navy have been deployed to the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). They are also collaborating with Thai embassies in Bahrain and Oman, along with neighboring naval forces, to prioritize the safety of Thai nationals in the precarious situation. For visual reports including photos and videos, visit: https://theonlinecitizen.com/2026/03/13/thailand-lodges-formal-protest-with-iran-over-cargo-ship-attack

In a troubling incident off the Kochi coast, the bulk carrier 'Mayuree Naree' was involved in a hit-and-run collision with the fishing boat 'Divnine' early on July 8, 2018. The maritime accident occurred approximately 20 nautical miles southeast of Munambam harbour around 12:30 a.m. During this unfortunate event, the fishing vessel, owned by Antoniyar Picha from Thiruvananthapuram, suffered a severe impact. Two fishermen, aged 50 and 56, who were part of a five-member crew, were injured during the incident. Reports indicate that heavy rain and strong winds obscured the fishing boat's visibility, resulting in the crew's inability to see the approaching bulk carrier until it was too late. The collision ejected two crew members into the water. Fortunately, an Indian Coast Guard vessel, alerted by the remaining crew, arrived swiftly on the scene to rescue the fishermen. Despite the damage sustained from the collision, the fishing boat successfully returned to Vypin. The 'Mayuree Naree' was en route from Gujarat to Paradip port in Odisha, with an estimated time of arrival set for July 12.