The Thai government believes fighting in the Middle East is unlikely to ease in the near term, estimating the conflict could drag on for at least a month, prompting heightened concern for Thai nationals living in Iran.
This outlook was presented during a briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and senior government officials at a meeting on Tuesday.
According to Urasa Mongkolnavin, director-general of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs, the assessment was compiled using reports from regional partners as well as international news agencies.
Thai ambassadors and high-ranking diplomats stationed across the Middle East joined the meeting remotely, offering firsthand situation reports. They also outlined difficulties on the ground and conveyed requests for assistance from Thai citizens in affected areas.
Mr Anutin later said Iran posed the greatest risk to Thai nationals, noting that about 300 Thais are currently in the country, including roughly 200 students.
“We have decided that they should immediately leave that country and return to Thailand,” he said.
He explained that the limited number of Thai nationals in Iran makes evacuation achievable. The foreign ministry has previously said an overland route via Turkey could be used, while a charter flight would be arranged if more than 100 people registered to leave.
All operational requirements for the evacuation have already been finalised, Mr Anutin said, adding that the process should begin without delay.
Thai citizens elsewhere in the region have been advised on personal safety measures, while ambassadors have been instructed to provide full support to those seeking to return to Thailand, he said.
So far, fewer than a quarter of the estimated 77,000 Thais living across the Middle East have indicated they wish to return home.
In Israel, where approximately 60,000 Thai workers are employed, only about 20 individuals have formally requested repatriation to date.
That figure could rise if conditions worsen, Mr Anutin said, but he added that most Thai workers in Israel are based in agricultural areas, which are currently assessed as relatively safe.
