Thailand Establishes Task Force for Commercial Vessels in Strait of Hormuz

Thailand: Thailand has established a specialized task force to assist Thai commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating regional tensions, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

According to Thai News Agency, the Joint Management and Monitoring Center for the Situation in the Middle East moved to create the working group on March 27 following Iran's restrictions on certain vessels and Houthi threats to maritime safety in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

"The center is monitoring impacts on shipping and conducting specific cargo inspections," said Panidone Pachimsawat, acting Director-General of the Information Department. While some Thai ships have already been negotiated out of the Strait, officials warned of "high uncertainty" in the area, prompting the ministry to escalate communication channels with international partners to protect national interests.

The ministry also urged the approximately 1,532 Thai nationals in high-risk zones to evacuate immediately. With Israeli airspace largely closed, Thai officials in Tel Aviv are coordinating with the embassy in Jordan to facilitate land-based departures. Meanwhile, the Thai Embassy in Muscat is tracking the situation in Oman following strikes on U.S. logistics targets, though no Thai casualties have been reported.