The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement today (Sunday) condemning the indiscriminate murder of innocent people, including Thais, by parties in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and voicing disagreement with the distribution of images of the murdered Thai victims, deemed as disrespect to the victims and their families.
The ministry also expressed condolences to families of 32 Thais confirmed to have been killed in Israel since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th and demanded the immediate release of hostages of all nationalities.
The statement was in response to the presentation of images of the brutal murders of victims, claimed to be Thai nationals, at a recent conference at the United Nations.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in the statement that the murders caused extreme grief, not only among Thai people, but everyone throughout the world.
A total of 19 Thais are still being held captive by Hamas militants.
In the statement, the ministry did not specifically name Israeli forces or Hamas for the atrocities committed against innocent people.
Meanwhile, a Royal Thai Air Force Airbus left Don Mueang airport before noon today for Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, to pick up 145 Thai nationals who were evacuated from Israel. The aircraft is due back in Bangkok at about 2.20am on Monday.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted a message today, in the Isaan dialect, on X, urging Thais still in Israel to return home quickly for their safety. He said that he feels concerned for those still in Israel, hoping that they will change their minds, adding that his government will introduce additional measures, including short and long term loans, to help the returning workers.
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, meanwhile, said that the 19 Thais still being held captive by Hamas are safe, citing report from his advisor, Ariphen Utrasin, who is currently in Tehran to seek Iranian intervention to secure the release of Thai abductees.
To date, 6,765 Thais, out of 8,478 who have applied for repatriation, have flown back to Thailand.
