Bangkok: Relatives of crew member Mayuree Naree were unable to see her after learning of her return to Thailand today. They are concerned about compensation, fearing they may not receive payment due to conditions preventing them from working on the ship. Another family lamented traveling from Tak province only to miss the chance to see her. They also offered prayers for the safety of the other three crew members.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Pes, the wife of one of the employees on the Mayuree Naree cruise ship, revealed that she last contacted her husband before he boarded his flight back to Thailand. She added that her husband is not yet fully recovered mentally because he is unsure about his future, as he needs to work on the ship to receive his wages, and will not receive them if he returns home.
Pes mentioned that she hasn't seen the employment contract, but her husband has worked for the company for five years. During the time the ship was about to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, her husband told her that there were options to stop or continue the journey. However, she was unsure if the company or the captain said that if he stayed in Dubai, the company would provide a hotel room but wouldn't guarantee his safety due to ongoing bombings. There was uncertainty about when he would return to Thailand or if he would receive his wages while staying at the hotel.
The reason why three crew members remain stranded on the ship is due to the process of changing shifts, and efforts to rescue them have not yet succeeded. The empty Mayuree Naree was initially supposed to transport goods from India to the UAE. While sailing, there was no war, so the ship passed through without incident. However, near Dubai, the situation escalated, leading the ship to anchor and assess before proceeding. After delivering the goods, it was supposed to return empty to India, passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
When questioned about the decision to sail through the Strait of Hormuz amidst regional tensions, with Iran's announcement of closure, Ms. Pes stated that she was aware ships flying the Thai flag could pass through. However, the confidence in doing so remained unclear to her, and she called for the company to support the crew, given the unusual circumstances and the need for compensation.
Additionally, another family, who traveled from Tak province, expressed their distress. The sister of a crew member shared that her brother had informed them about a bombing incident on the ship but had escaped safely. The mother revealed her son was interning on the ship and experienced shock due to the bombing, fearing for his safety, especially as he worked in the engine room.
The mother also shared that her son intends to follow in his father's footsteps in the maritime industry, valuing the job that helped fund his education. However, the recent incident leaves the family uncertain about future prospects and compensation from the shipping company.
Before boarding the plane, chat messages between the son and his family were exchanged, updating them throughout the journey to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Upon arrival, the company escorted all 20 crew members to exit gate 6 to board waiting buses, avoiding media interaction. Relatives expressed sadness at not being able to see their loved ones, having traveled specifically to bring them home.