Thailand asks China for Hormuz passage help

Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow has revealed his country sought China's assistance to secure passage for eight Thai ships through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. In response, Chinese officials told Thailand they are themselves struggling to pass 70 of their own vessels through the waterway. This exchange highlights the severe operational challenges facing commercial shipping in the region amid heightened US-Iran tensions and a de facto blockade. The difficulty reported by China, a major global power, underscores the scale of the disruption.