The vessel caught fire after being struck on Wednesday (Mar 11) while sailing near waters off Oman. The blaze was later extinguished, reports the Bangkok Post.
Twenty crew members were rescued from the ship and brought ashore to the Omani port city of Khasab, where they are being cared for while awaiting repatriation. The remaining three sailors are still on board the vessel. According to the ship’s owner, they are alive, Adm Thadawut said yesterday.
“Rescue vessels have not yet been able to reach them because Iranian forces may fire at ships in the area, making it too dangerous for recovery teams to approach,” he said. Authorities are continuing to check whether the three sailors have sustained injuries, but confirmed there have been no fatalities.
However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said confirmation of the survivors must come from the government of Oman.
Rear Adm Parach Rattanachaiyaphan, spokesman for the Royal Thai Navy, said Thai authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating assistance for all 23 crew members through diplomatic channels and naval cooperation.
He noted the navy’s role is mainly coordination, as primary responsibility for assisting Thai nationals abroad lies with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
At a briefing at Government House, Kritpetch Chaichuay, director-general of the Marine Department, said there are currently no Thai-flagged vessels operating in the Arabian Gulf.
Two vessels owned by Thai business interests but registered in Singapore remain safely docked in the United Arab Emirates, carrying a total of 36 Thai sailors along with other foreign crew members.
“These 36 sailors are safe in the UAE,” Mr Kritpech said.
The rescued sailors from the Mayuree Naree were expected to travel by road from Khasab to Muscat International Airport before flying back to Thailand. The Thai embassy in Muscat has already issued emergency passports to facilitate their departure.
Meanwhile, the vessel’s owner, Precious Shipping Plc, confirmed the ship had complied with all maritime security protocols before the attack.
Precious Shipping expressed gratitude to the Royal Navy of Oman for assisting in the rescue of the 20 sailors and providing temporary shelter.
The company said its top priority remains the safe recovery of the three crew members still aboard the vessel and the prompt return of those already rescued.