Thailand’s foreign minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, has announced that the country has formally requested assistance from China to secure passage for eight Thai vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, amid ongoing blockades and regional tensions. According to the minister, Chinese officials have responded by saying they are currently working to secure the release or safe passage of around 70 ships affected by the disruptions in the waterway.
The Thai government says it has framed its request to Beijing as part of broader efforts to keep critical energy‑shipment routes open, particularly for non‑belligerent vessels that are not involved in the US–Iran standoff. Thailand has also engaged in direct talks with Iran and regional partners such as Oman in recent weeks to negotiate safe navigation for its tankers and cargo ships, with at least some Thai vessels already having transited the Strait after earlier diplomatic coordination.
In March and early April, Thailand confirmed that several of its oil tankers and commercial ships successfully passed through the Strait following arrangements with Iranian authorities, who have stated that “non‑hostile vessels” may transit if they coordinate with Tehran and provide details of their voyage plans. Despite these limited clearances, many Thai‑flagged or Thai‑owned vessels remain stuck or rerouted, prompting Bangkok to turn to China which holds substantial diplomatic leverage with both Iran and the US as a mediator for the remaining eight ships.
China has publicly expressed concern over the interception of vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and has called on Washington and Tehran to abide by ceasefire arrangements and work toward the normalization of maritime traffic. Beijing has also facilitated the passage of certain Chinese‑linked ships through the Strait despite US‑imposed restrictions, underlining its role as a key economic and diplomatic player in the current shipping gridlock.
By asking China to help secure passage for eight Thai ships, Thailand is effectively positioning Beijing as a broker that can both ease pressure on independent trading states and keep vital energy supply lines flowing amid the wider Middle East war. For now, the outcome for those eight vessels remains tied to how quickly Chinese and Iranian officials can translate the “70 ships”‑level of coordination into concrete clearances and transit corridors through the Strait.