Summary of Press Briefing

at the Joint Management and Monitoring Center for the Situation in the Middle East

by Mr. Panidone Pachimsawat, Acting Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Deputy Spokesperson

on 14 March 2026 at 11.00 hrs. at the Government House

1. Developments in the situation in the Middle East

• The situation in the region has expanded beyond military targets. Iran has undertaken attacks that include energy infrastructure, maritime passage, and cyber systems linked to the U.S. and Israel across countries in the region. The Israeli military and Hezbollah continue to exchange attacks, particularly along the Israel - Lebanon border and in Beirut, while the situation in Iraq has significantly intensified.
  
  
• Given the continued uncertainty of the situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to urge Thai citizens to consider leaving high-risk areas as soon as possible and register their current location and contact details with the Royal Thai Embassies or Consulates-General in the area.
  
  
• Within the ASEAN framework, yesterday (13 March 2026) at 13:00 hrs., the Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East, convened at Thailand’s proposal and chaired by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines in its capacity as the ASEAN Chair.
  
  
• The meeting agreed that the situation in the Middle East remains highly tense and called for an immediate cessation of violence and a return to diplomatic solutions. ASEAN Ministers reaffirmed the importance of upholding the principles of international law, particularly freedom of overflight and freedom of navigation.
  
  
• The meeting further discussed potential impacts on ASEAN in various dimensions, especially disruptions to shipping routes and energy supply chains. Thailand proposed strengthening consular cooperation through the network of ASEAN embassies in the region to assist citizens during crises, enhancing the practical and effective implementation of the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement, and accelerating the transition toward renewable and alternative energy.

2. Developments on Assistance Provided to Affected Nationals

2.1 Developments regarding the Thai-flagged cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz

• Regarding the 20 Thai crew members, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was informed that they will travel by road from Khasab, Oman, to Muscat International Airport for their travel back to Thailand. The Royal Thai Embassy in Muscat has issued and handed emergency passports to all 20 crew members.
  
  
• As the route requires passing through the territory of the United Arab Emirates before re-entering Oman, the Royal Thai Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Dubai coordinated with the relevant authorities to expedite visa issuance for the crew and they already received the visas. The 20 Thai crew members are scheduled to arrive in Thailand on Monday, 16 March 2026.

• Other Countries
  
  
• Iran: The last group of seven Thai nationals evacuated from Iran returned safely to Thailand today (14 March 2026). The Royal Thai Embassy in Tehran, which has temporarily relocated to the Temporary Operations Center in Van, Türkiye, continues to maintain close contact with Thai nationals who have not yet expressed their intention to return to Thailand, and stands ready to facilitate their return should they wish to do so.
  
  
• Israel: Due to the intensifying attacks between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah, the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has issued an advisory to Thai nationals in northern Israel to enter shelters within one minute of warning sirens and avoid traveling to areas near Israel’s northern border.
  
  
• Overall, Thai embassies and consulates continue to assist nationals by coordinating with airlines, providing basic necessities, and facilitating transit through neighboring countries where airspace remains closed.
  
  
• In total, 591 Thai nationals have returned to Thailand.
  
  
• The Government remains firmly committed to assisting Thai nationals in the Middle East who have been affected by the situation, in order to ensure that they are able to safely leave at-risk areas as soon as possible.