Key facts
- Three Thai sailors are suing Precious Shipping and its affiliates after their ship, the Mayuree Naree, was hit by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The March 11 attack killed three crew members and left the plaintiffs with PTSD, preventing them from returning to sea.
- The sailors allege they were endangered by sailing through a high-risk area and were unfairly dismissed, receiving only two months' salary for their nine-month contracts.
- The plaintiffs are seeking damages exceeding one million baht (approximately $30,000) each.
Three former Thai sailors have filed a lawsuit against their employer, Precious Shipping Co., and two affiliated companies, alleging labor rights violations and unfair dismissal following an attack on their vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.
The cargo ship, the Mayuree Naree, was struck by a projectile north of Oman on March 11, resulting in the deaths of three crew members. The remaining 20 crew members were rescued and returned to Thailand.
The plaintiffs, Panithi Tumkaew, Noppadon Wongsuvan, and Surades Manpuen, claim that the company endangered their lives by sailing through the Strait of Hormuz despite escalating security risks. Their lawyer, Kunpat Singhathong, stated that the three men were dismissed before the completion of their nine-month employment contracts after the attack rendered the ship inoperable.
They received compensation equivalent to only two months' salary, which their lawyer argues is inadequate given that all three have since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This condition has left them unable to continue working as seafarers.
Following failed negotiations with the company, the sailors have approached the court seeking damages exceeding one million baht (approximately $30,000) each. One of the plaintiffs, Panithi, who had worked for Precious Shipping for over a decade, described ongoing psychological trauma, including being easily startled by loud noises and requiring medication.