Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has placed the Royal Thai Air Force on standby for an emergency repatriation mission, pledging to “leave no Thai behind” as tensions in the Middle East intensify.
The Prime Minister on Saturday announced a state of “maximum readiness” to evacuate Thai nationals amid fears that regional hostilities could escalate into a wider conflict.
Under an urgent directive, Anutin instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Air Force to begin immediate preparations for the return of citizens from high-risk areas.
Evacuations will prioritise Thais in Iran, followed by a phased withdrawal from Israel, with security conditions assessed continuously.
In a statement posted on his personal Facebook page, Anutin stressed that while Thailand remains neutral in the geopolitical dispute, protecting the tens of thousands of Thai workers and residents in the region is the government’s “absolute priority.”
“The welfare of our brothers and sisters in Iran and Israel is our primary mission,” the Prime Minister said. He added that following high-level consultations with Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and the Air Force commander-in-chief, transport aircraft have been mobilised to enable a rapid return home.
Officials said the decision to evacuate Iran first was taken to reduce the risk of a sudden military escalation that could sever exit routes without warning.
Beyond the humanitarian operation, the Prime Minister warned of the conflict’s potential fallout for the global economy and Thailand’s still-fragile post-pandemic recovery.
To shield the domestic economy from anticipated energy and supply-chain disruptions, Anutin ordered a multi-agency task force—bringing together the ministries of Finance, Labour, Health and Defence—to operate on a 24-hour monitoring basis.
“We will take every possible step to navigate this crisis and ensure that the Thai economy suffers the least amount of disruption,” he said, adding that the government would also seek opportunities for the country despite the instability.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister urged the public to offer support and prayers for those trapped in conflict zones, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to the evacuation effort. “Thais will never abandon one another,” he said.
