23-10-2023 (BANGKOK) In a diplomatic effort to ensure the safety and return of Thai nationals caught in the crossfire of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is set to convene a meeting on Monday with various agencies. The aim of the meeting is to discuss and strategize ways to secure the release of Thai citizens who have been taken hostage.
This development comes as the situation remains extremely delicate, given that negotiations are already underway to secure the release of these hostages. Simultaneously, the number of Thai workers in Israel who are seeking a safe passage back to their homeland continues to grow, further underscoring the urgency of the situation.
“We will meet at the Foreign Affairs Ministry to discuss the matter. The ministry, the Thai ambassador to Israel, and security agencies have attached great importance to helping Thai hostages,” Prime Minister Thavisin stated. He emphasized that Thai authorities are actively exploring all possible avenues to negotiate for the safe return of their compatriots.
“Personal connections will also be used in negotiations. Progress is expected on Monday. However, some details of the negotiations cannot be disclosed. But I assure you that we will try to help [the hostages] to the best of our ability,” the prime minister reassured.
Phairoj Chotikasatien, the permanent secretary for the Labour Ministry, provided insights into the situation. He revealed that approximately one-third of the Thais in Israel who wish to return to Thailand amid the Israel-Hamas conflict have already made their way back. Thus far, 2,823 Thais, primarily comprising workers, have successfully returned from Israel. This group represents a portion of the 8,439 Thai nationals who expressed their desire to be repatriated.
Meanwhile, 118 Thais currently in Israel have confirmed their intention to remain there, according to Mr. Phairoj.
To facilitate the safe return of Thai citizens, the government is taking steps to charter flights. These flights will transport Thai returnees from Tel Aviv to Dubai, where they will await connecting flights to Thailand. Mr. Phairoj also mentioned that those who have made their way back to Thailand by themselves will be eligible to claim reimbursement.
The most recent batch of returnees, totaling 139 Thais, arrived back in Bangkok on Sunday after a flight on the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF)’s A340-500. The group consisted of 136 men and three women and was warmly received at the Wing 6 terminal by authorities.
Before boarding the aircraft, all returnees underwent medical examinations by an air force medical team and thorough security checks. Following immigration procedures, they received further health check-ups and legal counseling regarding their rights to compensation due to the unforeseen circumstances of the war necessitating their return home.
The RTAF plans to return to Israel and bring back another group of Thais on Wednesday, as per their statement.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry released a report on Sunday, indicating that the number of Thais in Israel who have sustained injuries during the Israel-Hamas conflict has risen to 18, marking an increase of two cases. Meanwhile, the death toll and the number of Thai citizens who remain abducted stands at 30 and 19, respectively.
Among the returnees on Sunday were seven Thai vocational students, who cited safety concerns as the reason for ending their internships prematurely in Israel. However, seventy-one other vocational students have chosen to remain in Israel to complete their courses, according to the Education Ministry.
The Public Health Ministry conducted mental health assessments on the 234 Thai returnees, revealing that 25 of them are suffering from stress, while seven are grappling with insomnia. Additionally, fifty-nine of the returnees were found to have sustained injuries, and 34 displayed symptoms of respiratory diseases.
