Passengers aboard a cruise ship that has been refused port by Thailand said they had received a Royal Navy escort into port late Wednesday afternoon.
Photos purportedly taken from the MS Amsterdam, which has been idling in the gulf since authorities turned it away from the deep sea port of Laem Chabang, show an unidentified Thai naval vessel nearby. A vessel tracking service shows that to be the frigate HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej. Both vessels are heading in the direction of Laem Chabang and the Sattahip naval yards.
“Captain announced we are now being escorted by this Navy ship to an anchorage spot off the coast of Thailand, where we’ll get fuel and provisions and continue disembarkation process #westerdam,” Lydia Miller tweeted just before 4pm.
Thailand turns away cruise ship with no known virus infections
There has been no word from Thai authorities that the ship would be allowed to dock or that passengers would be allowed to disembark.
Though the ship has no known cases of the deadly coronavirus that has left thousands stranded at sea, Thailand refused to allow it berth at let off its passengers. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha said it had not obtained permission 24 hours in advance.
Officials said today that the ship would be provided fuel and food.
Update: Cruise ship forced away from Thai port following public outcry
It set out from Hong Kong to Japan by way of Taiwan, and was previously told by all three ports to turn away, as well as the U.S. territory of Guam.
Captain announced we are now being escorted by this Navy ship to an anchorage spot off the coast of Thailand, where we’ll get fuel and provisions and continue disembarkation process #westerdam pic.twitter.com/xSAa14Dq5i
— Lydia Miller (@Pebblecovefarm) February 12, 2020
Escorted by Thai navy to a Thai military base pic.twitter.com/kO6c3vvjq0
— Lorraine 🦍🐉🦍🐉💚 (@lorrain34100) February 12, 2020
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