BANGKOK, Thailand – On March 14, 2026, the Ministry of Labour, through the Joint Management and Monitoring Center for the Situation in the Middle East, provided an update on Thai workers and the rescue of 23 Thai crew members in Oman.
Santi Nantasuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour, reported that approximately 67,047 Thai nationals currently reside in the Middle East. To date, 977 have requested repatriation, with 72 already returned and nine more scheduled to arrive from Bahrain on March 15.
Of the 23 Thai crew members affected by the attack on the cargo vessel Mayuree Naree in Oman, 20 have been safely evacuated and are staying at a hotel in Khasab. The shipping company has provided accommodations, food, medical supplies, and essential clothing. One crew member is recovering from a hand injury, and the company is offering professional mental health support through licensed Thai psychologists. Search and rescue operations continue for the three crew members still aboard the vessel, with the Ministry of Labour coordinating closely with the Royal Thai Navy to ensure their safety.
The shipping company confirmed that all crew members will receive full wages and hazard pay for working in a conflict zone, in line with international law. Salaries will be transferred monthly until their arrival in Bangkok, and the company has committed to fully compensating for personal property lost on the vessel. The company also intends to retain all crew members and welcomes them back to service when they are ready.
The Office of Labour Affairs in Abu Dhabi has finalized travel documents for the 20 rescued crew members, in coordination with the Royal Thai Embassies in Abu Dhabi and Muscat. They are scheduled to return to Thailand on Sunday, March 15, 2026. The company expressed deep concern for the crew’s psychological well-being and requested that media engagement be handled sensitively after their arrival. (NNT)
