Three former crew members of a Thai cargo vessel attacked in the Strait of Hormuz in March have filed a lawsuit against the ship’s operator, alleging labour rights violations and unfair dismissal following the incident. The case raises fresh scrutiny over the treatment of seafarers affected by security incidents in high-risk maritime regions.
The lawsuit, submitted on 10 July, names Precious Shipping Co., two affiliated companies and the vessel’s captain as defendants. The claim was filed by former crew members Panithi Tumkaew, Noppadon Wongsuvan and Surades Manpuen following the attack on the Mayuree Naree, which was struck by a projectile north of Oman on 11 March, killing three people.
As reported by the Associated Press (AP), the remaining 20 crew members were rescued and returned to Thailand approximately one week after the incident. Furthermore, according to the crew’s lawyer, Kunpat Singhathong, the lawsuit alleges that the defendants placed the seafarers’ lives at risk by allowing the vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz despite known security threats in the area.
Kunpat said the three former crew members were later dismissed before completing their nine-month employment contracts after the attack left the vessel unable to operate. He added that they received compensation equivalent to two months’ salary, which he argued was insufficient given the long-term impact of the incident.
The former crew members have since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are reportedly unable to return to seafaring work in the foreseeable future, according to their lawyer. “We tried to negotiate with the company, but it denied responsibility, so we believe the matter should be brought to the court,” Kunpat said before filing the case at the Central Labor Court in Bangkok.
The crew members are seeking compensation of more than one million baht ($30,000) per person, although their lawyer declined to disclose the exact amount being claimed.
Panithi, who said he had worked for Precious Shipping for more than a decade, said his wife encouraged him to seek medical treatment after noticing changes in his behaviour following the attack.
“When there are loud noises, I’ll get startled,” he said. “I can’t work now, and I have to take medication.”
Precious Shipping did not respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit.The remains of the three crew members killed in the attack were repatriated to Thailand earlier this month.
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