A Thai-flagged cargo ship was attacked while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, underscoring how the escalating Middle East conflict is affecting countries not directly involved.
As rescue efforts continued on Thursday, ASEAN foreign ministers will hold a special meeting on Friday to discuss the broader impact on the regional economy and security, as well as international shipping.
At a press conference, the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed that the cargo vessel Mayuree Naree was damaged on Wednesday while sailing through the strategic waterway after departing Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy trade routes, carrying approximately 20 percent of global oil shipments.
The incident occurred amid rising tensions in the Middle East following exchanges of attacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran, raising concerns that commercial shipping could increasingly be caught up in the conflict.
The ministry also issued a second statement expressing “grave concern” about the deteriorating situation in the region and its potential impact on civilians and foreign nationals.
It condemned attacks on commercial vessels and urged all parties to exercise restraint and return to dialogue to prevent further escalation that could threaten regional and global stability.
On the same day, Thai deputy permanent secretary Sirilak Niyom also met Iranian ambassador Nassereddin Heidari in Bangkok for discussions, during which the ship incident was raised. Thailand conveyed its strongest protest and requested that Iranian authorities issue a statement of apology and clarify the surrounding facts.
As of Thursday, the Ministry of Transport confirmed that all other Thai-flagged cargo ships had left the Strait of Hormuz and that no Thai vessels remained in the area.
Following Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow’s call last week for a special ASEAN ministerial meeting, the bloc’s leaders agreed to hold an online discussion on Friday afternoon on the situation in the Middle East and assess possible implications for the region.
An informed diplomatic source said the meeting would allow the 11-member bloc to exchange views on the conflict and examine risks to energy supplies, shipping routes and the safety of Southeast Asian nationals living and working across the Middle East.
The session is also expected to reaffirm ASEAN unity and emphasise the bloc’s principle of ASEAN centrality in responding to international crises affecting the region.
Around 4.5 million ASEAN migrant workers are in the Gulf states and the wider Middle East, making them among the largest foreign labour groups in the region. Thailand has an estimated 110,000 workers there.
