Maybe this is good news for Thailand's fuel worries.
____________________________________
Thai tanker passes through Hormuz safely
Iran working on vetting and ‘toll’ system for ships from non-combatant countries
March 24, 2026
A Thai ship has passed safely through the Strait of Hormuz following successful negotiations with Iran and Oman, Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on Tuesday.
The SET-listed energy firm Bangchak Corporation Plc subsequently confirmed that a crude oil tanker that had been anchored in the Persian Gulf since March 11 had transited the strait safely.
“The tanker is currently on its way across the Indian Ocean and is expected to deliver crude oil to Thailand in early April,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
Bangchak expressed its appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for coordinating with relevant authorities, as well as to the governments of Iran and Oman, “in facilitating the vessel’s passage in accordance with international law”.
The Iranian Embassy in Thailand also issued a statement saying that the passage was the result of “close cooperation between our two countries and the Sultanate of Oman”.
“We value our friendship and will never forget our allies,” the statement said.
Iran recently took responsibility for a missile attack on the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree. It is now working with Oman on an attempt to reach the ship and rescue three Thai crewmen said to be still aboard.
The latest development comes amid reports that a new “safe” corridor running through Iran’s territorial waters has emerged in recent days, and at least nine ships have passed through, the maritime news and analysis service Lloyd’s List reported.
It said several countries including India, Pakistan, Iraq, Malaysia and China, were in direct talks with Tehran to transit through its territorial waters in the Strait.
Ships have been approved on a case-by-case basis, but the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is now developing a vetting and registration system that would involve tolls of up to $2 million per vessel.
“Only one tanker is so far understood to have made a payment, said to be in the region of $2 million,” said Lloyd’s List.
The IRGC is reportedly requesting that the tolls be paid in Chinese yuan.
“Ships hoping to use the pre-approved route are expected to have communicated extensive details regarding both the ownership of the vessel and destination of the cargo to the IRGC in advance of the transit,” Lloyd’s reported.
“Those details are being communicated via a series of Iran-affiliated individuals operating outside of Iran.”
An estimated 400 vessels are currently waiting outside the Strait. The figure includes 150 tankers, 120 bulk carriers and 130 others.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the Strait was “open, but closed to our enemies”, signalling a de-escalation from earlier remarks by the IRGC that any ship trying to transit the waterway would be set ablaze.
Traffic through the Strait has plunged by 95% since the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran three weeks ago, with major repercussions for global energy markets. About one-fifth of the world’s oil transits through the Strait.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... muz-safely
Thai tanker passes through Strait of Hormuz safely
-
Gaybutton
- Posts: 24325
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
- Location: Thailand
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 1671 times
-
Gaybutton
- Posts: 24325
- Joined: Sat Jul 31, 2010 11:21 am
- Location: Thailand
- Has thanked: 3 times
- Been thanked: 1671 times
Re: Thai tanker passes through Strait of Hormuz safely
Two Thai vessels pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz: Foreign minister
The fate of three Thai crew members on the Mayuree Naree remains unconfirmed.
by THE NATION
March 25, 2026
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Tuesday provided an update on the latest developments in the Middle East.
Sihasak says two Thai vessels have now passed safely through the Strait of Hormuz, with Bangchak’s ship the first, while the fate of three Thai crew members on the Mayuree Naree remains unconfirmed.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Tuesday (March 24) provided an update on the latest developments in the Middle East, including the Iran-Israel conflict and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
He said the United States had claimed it had held talks with Iran, but Iran had denied that any negotiations had taken place. He added that further attacks had also been reported elsewhere, while the US, despite speaking of talks, had continued to reinforce its military presence, and Israel remained determined to strike various targets in Iran.
The situation had reached a critical turning point, Sihasak said. He hoped reports of diplomatic talks were true, or at the very least would encourage all sides to return to the negotiating table in order to prevent further escalation.
He said he did not want to see additional military build-up or further attacks, as the impact was already being felt worldwide, including in Thailand. The volatility and uncertainty were affecting all countries, he said, and all parties should therefore seek a path back to dialogue.
Three Thai crew members still unaccounted for
On efforts to assist the three Thai crew members stranded on board the Mayuree Naree, Sihasak said he had spoken with the Iranian ambassador to Thailand to seek help for the vessel.
On Tuesday morning, the Iranian ambassador informed the Foreign Ministry that Iran and Oman had carried out a joint operation and had reached the Mayuree Naree and made contact with all three crew members. However, he said their fate could not yet be confirmed.
Sihasak remained deeply concerned and said the Foreign Ministry was continuing to verify the information. He said he hoped all three were still alive, but added that confirmation would have to come from Iran or Oman, as the operation had been conducted jointly.
He added that he had also stressed to Iran’s foreign minister that Thailand was not a party to the conflict and that international law guaranteed safe navigation, despite the attack on the Mayuree Naree. He therefore asked Iran to facilitate the safe passage of Thai vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Sihasak, Iran agreed to coordinate on the matter and asked the Foreign Ministry to provide the names of Thai vessels intending to pass through the strait.
Bangchak vessel first to return, SCG ship hoped to follow
He said the ministry had submitted the names of two vessels — one belonging to Bangchak and another operated by SCG Chemicals. He said he had only learned on Monday (March 23) that Bangchak’s vessel had passed safely through the Strait of Hormuz and was now on its way back to Thailand.
He said he hoped the other Thai vessel would also return safely, and thanked the authorities in Iran and Oman for reaching the Mayuree Naree. He also thanked Iran for allowing Thai commercial vessels to pass safely through the strait.
Asked about the Iranian ambassador’s attitude while explaining the situation concerning the three Thai crew members, Sihasak said the response had been positive.
Meanwhile, the Facebook page “IR Iran Embassy in Bangkok Thailand”, run by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Thailand, posted a message saying:
“We would like to inform the Thai people that, through close co-operation between our two countries and the Sultanate of Oman, a Thai vessel has passed peacefully through the Strait of Hormuz. We value our friendship and will not forget our friends.”
Reports said the vessel in question belonged to Bangchak. Another Thai vessel has also reportedly been granted permission to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
https://asianews.network/two-thai-vesse ... -minister/
The fate of three Thai crew members on the Mayuree Naree remains unconfirmed.
by THE NATION
March 25, 2026
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Tuesday provided an update on the latest developments in the Middle East.
Sihasak says two Thai vessels have now passed safely through the Strait of Hormuz, with Bangchak’s ship the first, while the fate of three Thai crew members on the Mayuree Naree remains unconfirmed.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Tuesday (March 24) provided an update on the latest developments in the Middle East, including the Iran-Israel conflict and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
He said the United States had claimed it had held talks with Iran, but Iran had denied that any negotiations had taken place. He added that further attacks had also been reported elsewhere, while the US, despite speaking of talks, had continued to reinforce its military presence, and Israel remained determined to strike various targets in Iran.
The situation had reached a critical turning point, Sihasak said. He hoped reports of diplomatic talks were true, or at the very least would encourage all sides to return to the negotiating table in order to prevent further escalation.
He said he did not want to see additional military build-up or further attacks, as the impact was already being felt worldwide, including in Thailand. The volatility and uncertainty were affecting all countries, he said, and all parties should therefore seek a path back to dialogue.
Three Thai crew members still unaccounted for
On efforts to assist the three Thai crew members stranded on board the Mayuree Naree, Sihasak said he had spoken with the Iranian ambassador to Thailand to seek help for the vessel.
On Tuesday morning, the Iranian ambassador informed the Foreign Ministry that Iran and Oman had carried out a joint operation and had reached the Mayuree Naree and made contact with all three crew members. However, he said their fate could not yet be confirmed.
Sihasak remained deeply concerned and said the Foreign Ministry was continuing to verify the information. He said he hoped all three were still alive, but added that confirmation would have to come from Iran or Oman, as the operation had been conducted jointly.
He added that he had also stressed to Iran’s foreign minister that Thailand was not a party to the conflict and that international law guaranteed safe navigation, despite the attack on the Mayuree Naree. He therefore asked Iran to facilitate the safe passage of Thai vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Sihasak, Iran agreed to coordinate on the matter and asked the Foreign Ministry to provide the names of Thai vessels intending to pass through the strait.
Bangchak vessel first to return, SCG ship hoped to follow
He said the ministry had submitted the names of two vessels — one belonging to Bangchak and another operated by SCG Chemicals. He said he had only learned on Monday (March 23) that Bangchak’s vessel had passed safely through the Strait of Hormuz and was now on its way back to Thailand.
He said he hoped the other Thai vessel would also return safely, and thanked the authorities in Iran and Oman for reaching the Mayuree Naree. He also thanked Iran for allowing Thai commercial vessels to pass safely through the strait.
Asked about the Iranian ambassador’s attitude while explaining the situation concerning the three Thai crew members, Sihasak said the response had been positive.
Meanwhile, the Facebook page “IR Iran Embassy in Bangkok Thailand”, run by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Thailand, posted a message saying:
“We would like to inform the Thai people that, through close co-operation between our two countries and the Sultanate of Oman, a Thai vessel has passed peacefully through the Strait of Hormuz. We value our friendship and will not forget our friends.”
Reports said the vessel in question belonged to Bangchak. Another Thai vessel has also reportedly been granted permission to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
https://asianews.network/two-thai-vesse ... -minister/