The government has sent a formal protest to Israel, urging that Thai workers no longer be sent to high-risk zones following a recent rocket attack that resulted in the deaths of four Thai workers and injured another.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is requesting that Thais delay any non-critical travel to Israel and other parts of the Middle East due to the current situation.
Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa announced on Saturday that the ministry had dispatched the protest following reports of the deaths of Thai workers from a Hezbollah-launched rocket near Metula, Israel, on Friday.
Thailand, as part of the United Nations Human Rights Council, is calling for all involved parties to seek peace. Additionally, the Ministry is collaborating with the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv to curb the flow of Thai workers heading to Israel for work.
The protest was prompted by reports that some Israeli employers continue to recruit Thai laborers for high-risk positions under short-term contracts, with workers sometimes only staying for a few hours.
“It’s fully understandable that some of us have gone overseas to work for a better life,” said Mr. Maris. “But the current situation in parts of the Middle East is highly unusual, with a significant level of violence in the ongoing conflict.”
The four victims killed in the rocket attack were identified as Akkapon Wannasai from Udon Thani, Prayat Pilasram from Buri Ram, and Kaweesak Papanang and Thana Tichantuek, both from Nakhon Ratchasima.
Thana Tichantuek, a 31-year-old from Sikhiu district, had been working as a fruit picker near the border between Israel and Lebanon for nearly a year before he was killed.
His father, Charnchai Tichantuek, is grieving his son’s death. Thana’s mother, Jarung Tichantuek, said he had planned to return home soon and had always been aware of the risks, often saying, “We could die anywhere.”
The family home of 37-year-old Kaweesak in Lam Thamenchai district is now filled with sorrow after his death was confirmed by the Thai embassy in Israel. His wife, Sumali Pimsri, expects his remains to be repatriated within a week.
In Buri Ram, Sulaporn Rungruang, the sister of Prayat, is pressing the government to expedite the return of his body and provide financial aid, as he was the main provider for their family.
Prayat, aged 42 from Krasang district, had returned to Israel to complete his contract after a brief stay in Thailand.
Amnat Khemphet of the Buri Ram Labour Office stated that local authorities, including police from Lamduan station, are coordinating with Israeli authorities to handle compensation claims and secure further support for Prayat’s family.
