Thailand Summons Iranian Ambassador Over Attack On Thai Cargo Ship

BANGKOK, March 12 (Bernama) -- Thailand has summoned Iran’s ambassador to seek clarification after a Thai cargo vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, leaving three Thai crew members missing.

"This morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs invited the Ambassador of Iran to Thailand for discussions to clarify the facts surrounding the incident,” said acting Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Panidone Pachimsawat.

Panidone said the ministry had also lodged a protest over the violence directed at commercial vessels.

“We protest the violence directed at commercial vessels and express our concern over the matter,” he told reporters at the Centre for Administration and Monitoring of the Situation of Fighting in the Middle East (CABM) on Thursday.

Panidone said Thailand’s foreign minister is scheduled to hold a telephone call with the Omani counterpart on Thursday evening to thank the Omani government for its assistance and to follow up on the search for the three missing crew members.

 Panidone said authorities have yet to establish the type of weapon used in the attack on the vessel.

“It is only known that the attack struck the stern, where the three missing Thai crew members were located near the affected compartment.

“The safety of the three crew members remains our greatest concern, and all relevant parties are doing everything possible,” he said.

On Wednesday, a Thai-flagged cargo vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, with 20 crew members rescued and three others still reported missing.

According to reports, the vessel, Mayuree Naree, departed Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates and was en route to the port of Kandla in Gujarat, India when projectiles struck, triggering an explosion in the stern and engine room and igniting a blaze.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the region as hostilities escalate around the strategic waterway that carries a significant share of global oil shipments.

Meanwhile, Panidone said a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held on March 13 at Thailand’s initiative to discuss the impact of the conflict in West Asia on ASEAN, exchange views on possible responses, and assess long-term regional readiness.

“It will also serve as an opportunity to reaffirm ASEAN unity and centrality in responding to crises affecting the region,” he said.

-- BERNAMA