Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has directed preparations to evacuate Thai nationals from Israel following a significant assault by Hamas militants from Gaza.
By Monday morning, the official death count stood at 12, with eight wounded and 11 detained due to the weekend’s violence, as reported by the Thai government on Sunday.
On platform X, previously known as Twitter, Srettha denounced the assault on Israel, instructing the air force to ready both military and civilian aircraft for the evacuation of Thai citizens.
Unconfirmed media reports suggest that some Thai individuals have been seized by Hamas militants and transported to Gaza.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed the safety of eight or nine Thai students studying in Israel.
He also mentioned ongoing discussions about aiding the approximately 30,000 Thais in Israel, with around 5,000 living close to the Gaza Strip’s conflict zones.
He announced instructions to the Royal Thai Airforce to ready six aircraft – an A340 and five C130s – to assist in the evacuation of Thai workers once the Israeli airspace becomes accessible.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs is organizing a comprehensive list of Thais in Israel to ensure everyone is tracked.
The deputy prime minister stated that the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv would be the primary point of contact, liaising with local officials and staying updated on the current situation.
Additionally, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has been directed by the government to engage with Thai families in Israel, offering reassurance and guidance on maintaining mental well-being amid the crisis.
A majority of the Thais in Israel hail from Thailand’s Northern and Northeastern regions. Most of them work in construction and agriculture.
