Former Crew of Thai Cargo Ship Sue Operator over Hormuz Attack, PTSD and Dismissal

The case was filed on Friday (10 July) before the Central Labour Court in Bangkok by former crew members Panithi Tumkaew, Noppadon Wongsuvan, and Surades Manpuen. The lawsuit also names two affiliated companies and the vessel’s captain as defendants. According to their lawyer, Kunpat Singhathong, the company endangered the crew by allowing the vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz despite heightened security risks. Following the March 11 attack, which killed three crew members and rendered the vessel inoperable, the remaining 20 seafarers were rescued and repatriated to Thailand about a week later.       The plaintiffs claim they were dismissed before completing their nine-month employment contracts and received compensation equivalent to only two months’ salary. They argue the payment was insufficient, particularly after all three were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has left them unable to return to sea. “We tried to negotiate with the company, but it denied responsibility, so we believe the matter should be brought before the court,” Singhathong said. He added that each plaintiff is seeking compensation exceeding one million Thai baht (approximately US$30,000).

Panithi, who had served with Precious Shipping for more than a decade, said the psychological impact of the attack continues to affect his daily life.

“When there are loud noises, I’ll get startled. I can’t work now, and I have to take medication,” he said.

Precious Shipping had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.      Earlier this month, the remains of the three crew members who lost their lives in the attack were repatriated to Thailand. In a statement issued on July 3, Precious Shipping expressed condolences to the victims’ families and said it remains committed to providing assistance and support to the bereaved families. The lawsuit comes amid renewed escalation in the Middle East, with fresh U.S. airstrikes against Iran and retaliatory attacks threatening an interim ceasefire. The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, through which nearly one-fifth of global seaborne crude oil and liquefied natural gas trade normally passes.

The crisis has also intensified concerns over the safety and welfare of seafarers, particularly those from major maritime labour-supplying nations such as India, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Commenting on the humanitarian impact of the conflict, Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), said:“This is not simply a matter of shipping statistics. Behind the figures are seafarers, and in some cases their families, who continue to bear the human cost of this conflict.”       The case highlights the growing legal and welfare challenges facing shipping companies as geopolitical tensions continue to expose commercial vessels and their crews to significant risks in conflict-prone maritime regions.