# Thailand’s Strategy to Secure Safe Hormuz Passage for Three Stranded Ships

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/middle-east/302706-thailands-strategy-to-secure-safe-hormuz-passage-for-three-stranded-ships
- Published: 2026-04-22T12:35:17+07:00
- Author: Nadjib Mohamed

The Thai government successfully utilized proactive diplomacy to secure safe passage
for three stranded vessels carrying essential energy and petrochemical supplies 
through the Strait of Hormuz. By coordinating with authorities in Iran and Oman,
officials were able to mitigate potential fuel and feedstock shortages that had 
been threatened by regional geopolitical instability, thereby safeguarding Thailand’s
energy security and economic stability.

Key Points

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 * “Team Thailand,” led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs
   Sihasak Phuangketkeow, leveraged bilateral relations with Oman to act as an intermediary
   with Iran to clear the maritime deadlock.
 * PTT Public Company Limited successfully secured the return of the _Serifos_, 
   a very large crude carrier (VLCC) carrying 2 million barrels of oil, expected
   to arrive in Thailand by late April 2026.
 * Bangchak Corporation safely navigated the _MT. POLA_, which was carrying 700,000
   barrels of crude oil, to its Sriracha refinery on April 7, 2026, after proving
   the vessel was not a party to the regional conflict.
 * SCG Chemicals (SCGC) confirmed that its first vessel carrying 55,000 tonnes of
   naphtha has been granted passage, though a second vessel remains under safety
   assessment.
 * To maintain domestic supply during the crisis, PTT incurred significant financial
   burdens, totaling over 230 billion baht, to source replacement crude and manage
   logistics risks.

“Team Thailand” utilized the following diplomatic strategies to secure the safe 
passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz:

 * **Proactive Bilateral Engagement:** The government employed proactive diplomacy,
   utilizing existing bilateral ties to negotiate directly with officials in Iran
   and Oman.
 * **Strategic Intermediation:** Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs,
   Sihasak Phuangketkeow, visited Oman (April 15-17, 2026) to encourage the Omani
   government to act as an intermediary in discussions with Iran.
 * **Clarification of Vessel Status:** To secure clearance, Thai officials coordinated
   with the Iranian Embassy in Thailand to formally confirm that the vessels were:
    - Carrying essential energy supplies (crude oil and petrochemical feedstock)
      for public use.
    - “Not a party to the conflict,” thereby distinguishing the shipments from military
      or political involvement.

The strategy involved effective communication channels between private corporations(
such as Bangchak) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which then facilitated the
necessary diplomatic pressure and dialogue to resolve the impasses.