The family is worried about him. "Nong Aum" Phanupong Meunthan. He is one of the missing after the Thai ship "Mayuree Naree" was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz. It was revealed he had only been working in the engine room for one month. They are urgently calling on all sectors to help locate him and bring him home safely.
Following the incident where the Thai-flagged general cargo ship "Mayuree Naree" was attacked while sailing in the Strait of Hormuz after departing from the port of Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates on 11 Mar local time, the Thai crew had to evacuate the vessel. So far, 20 Thai crew members have been rescued and brought ashore safely, but three remain missing, believed to be trapped inside the ship, as previously reported.
Most recently, on 12 Mar 2026, reporters went to Sai Village, Moo 11, Nong Lek Subdistrict, Sikhoraphum District, Surin Province, and met Mrs. Sommai Butdee, 58, the aunt of Phanupong Meunthan, or "Nong Aum," one of the three missing crew members from the incident.
The aunt and relatives showed the reporters photos of Nong Aum’s parents who sent him off to work on 5 Feb 2026. With tearful eyes, she said she tried to contact her sister, Nong Aum’s mother, to ask about her beloved nephew’s situation, but her sister did not answer the phone.She is believed to be very stressed.Over the incident, and within a few days she plans to travel to Bangkok to meet her sister out of worry and concern for her nephew.
She has raised Nong Aum since he was a child. After he finished grade 6, his mother took him to study and live in Bangkok, where he also worked. Nong Aum and his mother only returned to Surin during festivals, most recently at New Year.
Nong Aum and his mother came home and visited the ancestral spirit shrine to pray. The aunt takes care of the house when they are away. Upon learning that Nong Aum was one of the three missing crew members, she felt shocked and deeply saddened, praying for his safety and survival. Nong Aum is a very good boy who cares for the whole family and is reliable. She is heartbroken to hear he was involved in the ship attack but remains hopeful that her nephew will be safe and return home.
Mr. Anuwat Pimphra, the village headman, told reporters that Nong Aum was born and raised in Sikhoraphum District and completed grade 6 there. Then he lived in Bangkok with his mother, working and studying. Nong Aum had interned for about a year and had just started regular work in the ship’s engine room for only one month before the attack.
On the day of the incident yesterday, he contacted Nong Aum’s mother, who did not answer as she was shocked and worried. He then contacted Nong Aum’s older brother and was told that at the time of the incident, the mother tried calling Nong Aum via Line, with signal but no answer. Now the calls continue but there is no signal, likely because his phone battery died. They still cannot reach Nong Aum.
He added that Nong Aum is a good boy and very close to him, considering him like a younger brother. Every festival, Nong Aum and his family return to Sikhoraphum District. Most people in Sai Village are related. Upon hearing the news of the ship accident, all relatives are worried but hopeful that Nong Aum will be safe and return to them.
As village leader, he urges relevant agencies to help search for all three missing crew members from the ship attack.He prays,for everyone’s safety,for survival until they are found,and for swift rescue and return home.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Pranee Boonruam, Nong Aum’s aunt, told reporters that earlier this morning she and relatives went to pay respects at the ancestral spirit shrinein Sai Village,to pray for protection and safety for Nong Aum from the ship attack, and to find him soon so he can return as a beloved family member. She and relatives have hope and confidence that Nong Aum is alive and safe.