Three crew members on a Thai-flagged vessel attacked in the Strait of Hormuz last month have died, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said at a press conference on Wednesday (8th April, 2026).
“Unfortunately, the three remaining crew members we found eventually, they lost their lives in the incident,” Mr Sihasak told reporters.
The vessel, the Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree, was struck on 11th March while travelling through the Gulf waterway after departing a port in the United Arab Emirates. The attack caused an explosion in the stern and a fire in the engine room.
Thailand said 20 crew members were rescued by the Omani navy following the incident and returned home in mid-March. The three others had initially been reported missing and were believed to have been trapped in the damaged engine room.
The vessel’s owner said last week that human remains had been found aboard the cargo ship within the “affected area”, but could not confirm identities or the number of individuals at the time.
Mr Sihasak thanked Omani authorities for their role in rescuing the survivors.
Mr Sihasak said he would travel to Oman in mid-April to seek assistance in coordinating with Iran to secure safe passage for nine Thai ships still stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.
A Thai oil tanker was able to pass safely through the waterway late last month without being required to pay to leave the blockade.
The US and Iran agreed overnight from Tuesday – Wednesday to a two-week ceasefire. During this period, passage through the Strait of Hormuz “will be possible via coordination with Iran’s Armed Forces”, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.
Two ships have transited the strait since Iran agreed to reopen the waterway, according to maritime monitor Marine Traffic.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions following US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Tehran responded by effectively closing the strait, a critical route for global oil supplies, and launching attacks on vessels.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in March that they had struck the Mayuree Naree and a Liberia-flagged vessel because the ships had ignored “warnings”.
The Mayuree Naree, a dry bulk carrier owned by Precious Shipping, sustained heavy damage that led to flooding and complicated rescue operations in the narrow waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital chokepoint for international maritime trade, with disruptions carrying significant implications for energy security and global shipping routes.
Thai authorities are continuing to coordinate with Oman and Iran to facilitate safe transit during the temporary ceasefire. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also working with international partners to support the affected families and monitor developments.
Mr Sihasak expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to protecting its seafarers, as well as to maintaining freedom of navigation and a peaceful resolution to the broader crisis.
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