Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has confirmed that two Thais were killed in the Hamas attacks in Israel and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is ready to evacuate Thai workers there once the situation permits.
In his Facebook post, upon arrival in Hong Kong this afternoon, the prime minister said that he has received confirmation from Thai Ambassador in Tel Aviv Pannabha Chandraramya that two Thai nationals have been killed.
Srettha said he has instructed the ambassador to report the latest situation in Israel directly to him.
He said that the Foreign Ministry has been coordinating closely with the RTAF on evacuation plans, adding that the first group of 423 Thais can be flown out as soon as the situation permits.
Stressing the importance of safety for Thais in Israel, the prime minister said he has instructed Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara to concentrate on helping them.
There are more than 29,900 Thais working and living in Israel, many of whom are in Gaza Strip.
An informed source told Thai PBS said around 1,000 of the Thai workers are seeking shelters in what he described as the “red zone” which is the area around the Gaza Strip while another 1,500 are in adjacent areas.
The source said the Thai workers have informed officials of the Thai Embassy that they are in desperate need of urgent evacuation.
“The embassy is coordinating with Israeli authorities to help with the evacuation,” he said.
