10-10-2023 (BANGKOK) The confirmed death toll of Thai nationals in the Hamas attack on Israel has reached 18, according to Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Jakkapong Sangmanee. The bodies of the victims cannot be repatriated until Israeli forces regain control of the areas where the fatalities occurred.
Due to the ongoing conflict, Thai workers are being evacuated from high-risk areas in Israel. Out of the approximately 30,000 Thai workers in the country, around 5,000 were located in the conflict zone. So far, approximately 3,000 Thai workers have expressed their desire to return home. The first group of evacuees is expected to arrive back in Thailand on Thursday, as stated by Mr. Jakkapong.
However, about 100 Thai workers have opted to remain in Israel for the time being, despite the conflict. The deputy minister acknowledged their decision.
The repatriation process for the Thai workers will primarily rely on commercial and chartered flights, as military aircraft are currently prohibited from landing in Israel due to the proximity of fighting to the airports, as explained by Mr. Jakkapong.
