Thai Nationals Evacuated from Middle East as Conflict Intensifies: 215 Assisted, Flights Resume
Thailand Accelerates Evacuation of Nationals from Middle East
Thailand is intensifying efforts to evacuate its citizens from the Middle East, with a focus on Iran, as regional tensions continue to escalate. As of today, , a total of 215 Thai nationals have been assisted in leaving the region, with authorities emphasizing facilitation measures for their safe return.
The latest developments saw a group of 62 Thai citizens depart from Tehran early this morning and are expected to arrive in the Turkish city of Van later today. Another group of 10 Thai nationals is scheduled to depart on .
The government has established the Center for the Administration and Monitoring of the Middle East Conflict (CAMMEC) to closely track the situation and coordinate assistance for Thai citizens affected by the conflict. Mr. Panidol Patchimsawat, Acting Director-General of the Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the overall situation remains volatile due to ongoing missile and drone attacks.
Areas of particular concern include Iraq, where violence has increased, and Lebanon, which is experiencing continuous attacks leading to civilian evacuations and a growing humanitarian crisis. Attacks targeting areas related to the United States, such as military bases and residences for American citizens in Gulf states, are also ongoing, though most have reportedly been intercepted.
Several countries have closed their airspace to commercial flights, including Iran, Israel, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, and Qatar. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has begun operating limited flights to clear stranded passengers.
As of today, there have been no reports of injuries or deaths among Thai citizens in the region. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is urging Thai nationals in at-risk areas to consider leaving as soon as possible and to register their address and contact information with the respective embassies and consulates.
A team from the Department of Consular Affairs, led by Mr. Bancha Yuenyongjongcharoen, the department’s deputy director-general, arrived in Van yesterday, , to join the team from the Thai embassy in Ankara to receive the evacuees from Tehran. The team is coordinating with local authorities at the Kapikoy border crossing to facilitate the arrival of Thai citizens from Iran.
Thai authorities have been coordinating with various parties, including the governments of Iran, the United States, and Israel, to ensure a smooth and safe evacuation process. According to a recent report from the Thai embassy in Tehran, the evacuation convoy is nearing the border between Iran and Turkey.
The Thai embassy in Tehran will relocate to a temporary office in Van, Turkey, starting on , but will remain available to assist Thai citizens residing in Iran. The embassy in Ankara will focus on receiving evacuees at the Turkish border and preparing for the arrival of 10 Thai nationals expected to cross the border from Iraq at the city of Mardin, for onward travel back to Thailand.
In addition to Iran, Thailand is also providing assistance to citizens in Saudi Arabia. The Thai embassies in Riyadh and Jeddah are coordinating closely with Thai embassies in neighboring countries – Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait – where airspace remains closed, to help Thai nationals travel across borders or arrange alternative air travel.
Efforts are also underway to arrange repatriation flights for Thai citizens via private charter, with flights from Riyadh to Bangkok continuing to operate and the possibility of adding additional evacuation flights as needed. Emirates and Air Arabia have resumed flights from the UAE since , to Bangkok and Phuket, respectively.
Mr. Jirarooj Sukulrat, Director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, Ministry of Transport, stated that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, has established a war room to monitor the situation since . This war room is tracking service quality, pricing, and availability, and is instructing Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited, the Department of Airports, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to adhere to legal pricing regulations.
The Ministry of Transport is also monitoring the impact of the conflict on international freight transport, with a focus on potential increases in shipping costs. A hotline, 1356, has been established for citizens to report any issues with transportation services.
Between and , a total of 584 flights have been cancelled or delayed, affecting 78,564 passengers. Authorities are working to assist affected passengers and coordinate with airlines to ensure their safe return.