Thai crew of ship struck in Gulf sues operators

Three former crew members of a Thai cargo ship struck by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz filed a lawsuit Friday against the vessel's operator and captain over alleged labor violations.

The Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree was hit on March 11 while transiting the Gulf waterway early in the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, leaving three Thai crew members dead and requiring 20 others to be rescued.

Former crew members Panithi Tumkaew, Noppadon Wongsuvan and Suradech Manpuen were dismissed after the incident and suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, following the attack, their lawyer, Kunpat Singhathong, said.

They filed the lawsuit at Bangkok's Central Labour Court against the ship's owner, Precious Shipping, two affiliated companies — Precious Flowers and Great Circle Shipping Agency — and the vessel's captain, Sathaporn Hoksee. All are Thai.

The suit alleges the companies acted negligently by ordering the ship to transit the strait during the war.

In a statement, Precious Shipping said it had complied with applicable laws and fulfilled its obligations to the crew, adding that it had provided medical and psychological support following the attack.

The company also said it had not yet been formally served with the lawsuit and could not comment on the allegations.

U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February prompted Tehran to respond by effectively closing the strait, a crucial artery for global oil supplies, and launching attacks on vessels.

Kunpat said his clients received compensation equivalent to two months' salary before being dismissed in April, despite having nine-month employment contracts that had not yet expired.

"Three of the crew members have since been diagnosed with PTSD, which doctors say will require more than a year of treatment," he said.

He added that the condition had left them unable to continue working as seafarers or carry out their daily lives normally.

Speaking to reporters outside the court, Panithi said his wife encouraged him to seek medical treatment after noticing changes in his behavior.

"I get startled when I hear loud noises," he said, adding that he had worked for Precious Shipping for more than a decade.

The court scheduled the first hearing for Sept. 28.