In the aftermath of the latest Israel-Hamas conflict, four additional Thai nationals have tragically lost their lives. This brings the total number of Thai casualties to 28, with another 16 injured and 17 others listed as hostages according to reports from the Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin.
Addressing the issue in a Rapid Response Centre meeting at the Foreign Ministry, the Prime Minister conveyed that the current situation remains unpredictable. He expressed that the government’s priority is to repatriate all Thai workers by the end of the month.
Navigating the complexities of increasing the number of repatriations flights, Thavisin mentioned arrangements for 32 flights by commercial airlines that can accommodate approximately 5,700 individuals returning to their homeland. Although this measure is in place, it’s considered inadequate due to over 7,000 registered evacuees and the number is expected to surge as the chaos continues.
With sea and road routes blocked, the only viable method for evacuation is by air. Consequently, the government is making arrangements to transport the workers to neighboring countries, such as Jordan, from where they can travel home.
Pledging to intensify efforts to negotiate the release of the abducted nationals, the Prime Minister added that the Foreign Ministry is using both public and private channels. The ministry is also set to tackle the problematic paperwork for those who have potentially lost their passports during the tumult.
Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn echoed the Prime Minister’s urgency to find more aircraft to facilitate the repatriation process. As of now, six aircraft – two owned by Nok Air and AirAsia, one from Thai Airways International and another from the Air Force – are allocated for these flights. He mentioned 7540 Thais have registered at the embassy, with 7446 intending to return home and 94 wishing to stay in Israel.
About 200 Thai workers have already returned home despite complications like the loss of their passports while seeking refuge in bunkers. The official anticipates this number to surge to approximately 400 evacuees per day in the coming days.
Fifteen officials have been sent to Israel to coordinate from the Labour Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. The government is committed to ensure all registered nationals to be repatriated by the start of the next month.
The recounts of survivors speak volumes about the horrifying realities they faced. One in particular, Chaiya Boonsang, a 39-year-old returnee who survived the Hamas attack, said that he and his fellow workers had to barricade themselves on a factory’s rooftop. They were without essential supplies including water and electricity for three days and continuously sought help from the embassy.
In his recount, he says, “The moment I fled to hide on the rooftop, I thought of nothing but survival. I was so scared of dying. It’s the most violent attack I have witnessed since I worked there.” Bursting with relief, Chaiya is now back in Thailand, determined to never return to Israel.
Such stories highlight the paramount need for the Thai government’s repatriation efforts. As the conflict rages on, the focus remains – to bring Thai nationals home safely and swiftly.
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