Thai Embassy advises urgent evacuation for citizens in Tehran

The Thai Embassy in Iran has advised Thai nationals to leave the capital at the earliest opportunity, since Israel and Iran have been exchanging missile attacks since last Friday.

In a statement, posted on its Facebook page, the embassy said immediate evacuation is necessary, due to the escalating attacks which show no sign of abating.

“For Thais who have personal vehicles, the embassy advises that they leave Tehran immediately for a shelter in Amol, or stay with relatives outside the capital for their own safety,” the statement said.

The visa section of the Thai Embassy was closed on June 16th until further notice, but Thai citizens in need of emergency assistance can contact the embassy’s hotline on +98 912 1598699.

Israel has been launching unprecedented strikes on Iran since Friday, stating that its aim is to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a goal which Iran denies pursuing.

The Israeli attacks have killed at least 224 people and wounded more than 1,000, according to an official toll released Sunday.

In retaliation, Iran has carried out multiple attacks, which have killed at least 24 people in Israel since Friday.

Meanwhile, Thai government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said the Thai military is preparing aircraft to evacuate citizens from Israel and Iran.

There are an estimated 40,000 Thais currently living in Israel, most working on farms under a government labour scheme, and around 300 living in Iran.

"We are ready to evacuate people and have coordinated with the military to prepare aircraft to bring them home," Jirayu said.

Jirayu said that Thai embassies in both countries have prepared evacuation plans for their nationals.