The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reiterated its call for Thai nationals to urgently consider departing high-risk areas in the Middle East, warning that the situation remains critical and highly unpredictable.
Four Thai workers employed on a shrimp farm have safely travelled from Iran to Turkey and were expected to arrive in Thailand on Wednesday, said Panidone Pachimsawat, deputy spokesman for the ministry.
US President Donald Trump announced via social media that Washington and Tehran had engaged in “constructive discussions” aimed at ending hostilities, with the US agreeing to suspend strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure for five days.
However, conflicting reports have since emerged denying such talks, while strikes by the principal combatants continue, with Iran targeting Gulf Cooperation Council states.
Mr Panidone said the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv was coordinating with the Israeli airline El Al to repatriate the body of a Thai worker killed recently by shrapnel in a strike just north of Tel Aviv. The remains are expected to arrive in Thailand on Wednesday.
Eight Thai nationals — seven students and one worker — are scheduled to travel overland from Iran to Turkey on Wednesday to take a flight back to Thailand.
Since the outbreak of the Middle East war, 1,483 Thai nationals have been assisted in leaving high-risk areas for Thailand or third countries, Mr Panidone said.
Mayuree Naree search
The ministry also said that all Thai vessels have now exited high-risk areas around the Strait of Hormuz safely. However, the fate of three Thai sailors on the stricken cargo ship Mayuree Naree remained unclear after an Iran-Oman joint search, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Tuesday.
The Iranian ambassador to Thailand told the Thai foreign ministry on Tuesday that the search team had been able to reach the ship. “However, they could not tell the status of the three sailors,” Mr Sihasak said.
“We will inform people further if any additional information is received,” he said.
Twenty Thai crew members were rescued after the Mayuree Naree was hit by Iranian missiles on March 11, and they returned home on March 16. But three sailors remained trapped in the damaged engine compartment.
