Early Sunday morning, the scenic U-tapao airport in Rayong witnessed the emotional homecoming of the third wave of Thai expatriates who had been flown home. The latest group is comprised of 90 men and women who were formerly employed in Israel. The blissful reunion took place at SC Park Hotel in Thailand’s bustling capital, Bangkok, where families eagerly awaited the arrival of their loved ones. This return home was a matter of life and death considering the conflict that the workers had experienced in Israel.
The unsettling reality is that four more Thai nationals who were working in Israel have had their lives claimed in the terrifying Hamas attacks. This brings the death toll of Thai nationals to 28, alongside 16 injured individuals and 17 more being held captive. Reports from a counselor assigned to look after labour affairs at the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, relayed this chilling information to Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn.
Astonishingly, of the 7,540 Thais who filled out forms at the embassy, only a mere 94 have expressed their wishes to continue residing in Israel. The remaining 7,446 are more inclined to catch the next flight out of the country that was once their place of employment.
Pipat, alongside his team of ministry officials, was seen sending off another contingent of 137 Thai workers on Monday. These workers will touch down at Don Mueang airport at the break of dawn before being whisked away to their families and a sanctuary that is far removed from the hostilities they witnessed in Israel.
Repatriation efforts are being spearheaded by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is pulling out all the stops to secure additional aircraft for the mission. To supplement the flights that the government has already coordinated with various airlines, Thavisin is ensuring no respatriation opportunity remains unexplored. Popular airlines like Noke Air and Thai AirAsia have each agreed to help arrange two repatriation flights, whilst Thai Airways International and the air force have committed to arranging one each.
Unfortunately, repatriation does not always proceed without a hitch. Take the example of 200 Thai workers: they were ready to be flown back but lost their passports during their desperate attempts to find safety in bunkers. Foreseeing such situations, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has already prepared as many as 8000 reserve passports and anticipates that authorities should be in a position to fly back 400 Thais per day in the coming days.
To ensure that those still stranded in Israel are well-supported, extra manpower has been deployed. The Labour Ministry has sent off 5 additional officials, previously living in Israel, to aid Thai workers. In addition, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has sent a team of 10 officials for support. By next month, Pipat hopes that the government’s relentless efforts will help bring back the approximately 7,000 Thais who have registered to return home.
Expressing his grief over the rising death toll of Thai nationals, Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong said, “The government wished for Thai workers to return home safely and will do its utmost to assist those who have been kidnapped”. With the same sentiments, he was seen comforting Thai returnees at SC Park Hotel.
Be First to Comment