30-10-2023 (BANGKOK) In an alarming development, three additional Thai workers have been confirmed as hostages during the recent Hamas attack on Israel, according to a statement by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on Monday. This revelation brings the total number of Thai hostages to 22.
Mr. Srettha, while addressing the press at the Wing 23 air terminal at Udon Thani airport before embarking on an official visit to Laos, confirmed that the Foreign Ministry had verified the new abductions.
The situation in Israel, as per the Prime Minister, has taken a turn for the worse, with Israel initiating a retaliatory ground offensive. This has further complicated travel within the conflict zone. In light of these developments, Mr. Srettha issued an urgent appeal to Thai workers still in Israel, urging them to promptly contact Thai authorities and register for evacuation to ensure their safety before conditions worsen.
Efforts are underway to negotiate the release of the Thai hostages. The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces had been in Malaysia as part of these diplomatic efforts, said Mr. Srettha.
Responding to inquiries about whether Thai workers were deliberately targeted by Hamas, the Prime Minister expressed his belief that Thailand was not directly involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict and, therefore, was not a specific target. He stressed that the Thai workers in Israel were more akin to victims of the ongoing war, highlighting the higher number of Thai workers compared to those from other countries.
Mr. Srettha urged Thai workers to heed the call to return home swiftly, emphasizing the increasingly challenging travel conditions in the region. He mentioned plans to discuss the situation with Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and suggested that more individuals might need to be evacuated as negotiations progress.
As for Thais who may have found themselves stranded near the Gaza Strip, Mr. Srettha acknowledged that some were still unaccounted for. He explained that assessing the situation had become more complicated due to the ground offensive, which had disrupted communication channels, making it difficult to track those missing.
In response to questions about a cabinet minister potentially traveling to the Middle East to secure the release of hostages, Mr. Srettha assured the public that the government was exerting every effort to achieve this crucial objective.
The situation remains fluid and tense, with Thai officials dedicated to securing the safe return of their fellow citizens caught in the midst of a complex and escalating international crisis.
