The Center for Management and Monitoring of the Middle East Conflict Situation (ศบก.) held its daily briefing, stating the Middle East situation is expanding beyond military targets. Iran has intensified attacks on energy infrastructure, maritime operations, and cyber systems linked to the U.S. and Israel across multiple countries in the region. Meanwhile, the Israeli military and Hezbollah continue fierce fighting, especially along the Israel-Lebanon and Belarus borders. It was also revealed that 20 crew members of the Mayuree Naree will arrive in Thailand on 16 March, with efforts ongoing to assist three more crew members.
14 March 2026 GMT+7 The Center for Management and Monitoring of the Middle East Conflict Situation (ศบก.) In a daily press briefing, Mr. Panidol Patchimsawat, Acting Director-General of the Department of Information and Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported on the Middle East situation and progress in assisting Thai nationals. Overall, the conflict in the Middle East has expanded beyond military targets. Iran has escalated attacks targeting energy infrastructure, maritime navigation, and cyber systems related to the United States and Israel in several countries in the region. Meanwhile, the Israeli military and Hezbollah continue to engage in intense fighting, particularly along the Israel-Lebanon border and in Belarus.
The situation in Iran remains significantly intense. The embassy urges Thai nationals to consider leaving high-risk areas as soon as possible and to follow updates from the embassy and consulates responsible for their areas, keeping their contact information updated.
Meanwhile, within the ASEAN framework, yesterday (13 March) at 1:00 p.m., at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sihasak Phaungketkaew, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended a special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the Middle East situation, convened at Thailand’s proposal. The meeting was chaired by the Philippine Foreign Minister, as ASEAN Chair. The ministers agreed that tensions remain high in the Middle East, called for an immediate cessation of violence, and urged a diplomatic resolution, upholding international law principles, especially freedom of flight and navigation.
The meeting also discussed the impact on ASEAN in several dimensions, particularly on shipping routes and energy supply chains, which could lead to economic and energy crises. Thailand proposed strengthening consular cooperation through embassy networks in the region to assist citizens during crises, enhancing cooperation under the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement to make it practical and effective, and accelerating the transition to renewable and alternative energy sources.
Mr. Panidol also addressed assistance for Thai nationals and the crew of the Thai cargo ship “Mayuree Naree,” which had an accident in the Strait of Hormuz. Twenty crew members will travel by car from the city of Qasab to Muscat International Airport in Oman for their return to Thailand. The Thai Embassy in Muscat has issued emergency passports and delivered them to all 20 crew members. Because the route passes through the United Arab Emirates before returning to Oman, the Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate-General in Dubai have coordinated with host country authorities to expedite visa issuance for the 20 crew members.
Latest updates All 20 crew members have received UAE visas, and Omani authorities have confirmed their readiness to facilitate the crew’s border crossing to board their flight in Muscat. The crew are scheduled to arrive in Thailand on the morning of Monday, 16 March. Regarding the ongoing search and rescue of three additional crew members, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Navy, and the Thai Embassy in Muscat continue close coordination with all relevant agencies.
Mr. Panidol further stated that the Thai Embassy in Tehran, which has temporarily relocated to an operations center in Van, Turkey, has completed evacuating all Thai nationals wishing to leave Iran. The embassy remains in close contact and coordination with those who choose to stay and is ready to assist anyone who later decides to return to Thailand.
Due to escalating attacks between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah, the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has issued a warning for Thai nationals in northern Israel to seek shelter within one minute upon hearing sirens and to avoid traveling near the northern Israel border. Overall, the embassy and consulate continue to provide assistance, advice, coordinate with airlines, and supply essential living items to Thai nationals.
Mr. Panidol also said, Since the conflict began, 591 Thai nationals stranded in the Middle East have been successfully evacuated to Thailand. The Thai government remains committed to assisting Thai nationals affected by the conflict in the Middle East to safely leave dangerous areas at the earliest opportunity.
Mr. Santi Nantasawan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor, provided an update on assistance for Thai workers and crew. There are a total of 67,047 Thai workers residing and working in the Middle East. So far, 977 have expressed a desire to return to Thailand via the embassy, with 72 already returned and another 9 en route from Bahrain, expected tomorrow (15 March).
Regarding assistance for the Mayuree Naree cargo ship crew attacked, the Ministry of Labor has coordinated support with Precious Shipping Public Company Limited, which is caring for the crew by providing hotel accommodation in Qasab, Oman, meals, medical supplies, and essential items. All crew members have continuous mobile phone access to contact their families. Injured crew members have received medical treatment and psychological counseling from Thai experts online.
Additionally, the Ministry of Labor confirms that the crew will receive full wages and special compensation for working in the area under international law from the start of their employment until their return to Bangkok. The company will pay wages monthly as usual. The company will also fully compensate the crew for any lost belongings aboard the ship and maintain their employment. Currently, all 20 crew members possess identification documents and are ready to travel back, with their arrival in Bangkok scheduled for Monday, 16 March.
