Bangkok: The Prime Minister has instructed Minister Sihasak to engage in discussions with the Iranian ambassador, seeking an explanation for Iran's recent attack on a Thai cargo ship. This directive follows an incident involving the Mayurinaree ship in the Strait of Hormuz, where three crew members remain missing. The Prime Minister has ordered an extensive search operation for the missing individuals and is contemplating the possibility that the ship might have been operating in international waters, raising questions about its entry into a warning zone.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul provided updates on the ongoing search and rescue operations. He emphasized the mobilization of all available resources to ensure the safety of the crew, expressing hope for their safe return. The Prime Minister also addressed inquiries regarding the ship's passage through the strait amid attack warnings, noting that while some reports mentioned a warning, details about the navigational decisions remain unclear. He suggested that the ship could have been in international waters, necessitating further investigation. Despite these challenges, he affirmed that most Thai nationals are currently safe, which is a reassuring development.
The Prime Minister has instructed relevant agencies, including the embassy, to offer support to the crew, acknowledging the logistical challenges due to travel time. Coordination with other countries involved in caring for the crew is also underway. When questioned about the Thai government's potential diplomatic response, the Prime Minister indicated that actions would be based on factual findings. He delegated the task of engaging the Iranian Ambassador in Thailand to Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkaew.
Regarding concerns about the impact on Thai-Iranian relations, the Prime Minister reiterated that the attack on the Thai ship is deemed unacceptable. As for communications from the private companies owning the cargo ships, he indicated that they likely reached out to the Ministry of Transport or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which are charged with addressing such matters.