Thailand Races to Assist Crew of " MAYUREE NAREE " and Thai Nationals in the Middle East

Press Briefing by the Joint Management and Monitoring Center for the Situation in the Middle East 
Government House
12 March 2026, at 11.05 AM

Speakers:
1. Mr. Panidone Pachimsawat
    Acting Director-General of the Department of Information 
    Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    Topic: Supporting the Health and Well-Being of Thai Workers in the Middle East

2. Dr. Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, MD
    Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Health
    Topic: Latest Updates on Thailand's Efforts to Assist Nationals in the Middle East

Acting Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Panidone Pachimsawat, provided the latest update on the Thai cargo vessel, MAYUREE NAREE, attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on 11 March 2026. He confirmed that 20 of the 23 Thai crew members have been rescued and safely brought ashore in Khasab, Oman, following coordination with the Royal Omani Navy. A search operation for the remaining three crew members is urgently underway. Thailand has formally protested the violence against the merchant vessel and calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately, and return to dialogue to prevent further regional and global instability.

On the diplomatic front, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued its second statement reiterating serious concern over the escalating conflict involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. The Iranian Ambassador was summoned this morning, and the Foreign Minister is scheduled to speak with his Omani counterpart this evening. In addition, Thailand has initiated a special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on 13 March 2026 to reinforce ASEAN's central role in addressing the crisis collectively.
To date, 381 Thai nationals have been evacuated from the region. The latest group of 34 arrived home this morning, with the remainder expected on 13 March. Thai embassies in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Israel continue to facilitate special flights and repatriation efforts.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Varoth Chotpitayasunondh, MD, announced that the Ministry is providing comprehensive physical and mental health support through three key measures — digital health services via the "Mor Prompt Super App" and Line ID @1323middle.east for those still in the region; a three-dimension health screening at airports upon arrival covering infectious disease, physical health, and mental health; and continued follow-up care coordinated by provincial health offices all the way to returnees' home provinces.

The government of Thailand reaffirms that the safety of all Thai nationals in the Middle East remains the highest priority.