More Thai evacuees from Iran arrive in Bangkok, others to follow

The 23 Thais, who left Iran and travelled to Türkiye, were welcomed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport by Foreign Ministry Vice Minister Vijavat Isarabhakdi.

The vice minister said he was pleased with the group’s safe arrival and expressed appreciation to all agencies involved in facilitating and assisting Thai nationals in the Middle East.

He also informed them that the ministry is currently in the process of evacuating another group of approximately 69 Thai nationals from Iran, reaffirming that the government has placed the highest priority on the safety of Thai nationals.

Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on March 9 welcomed the first group of 29 Thai nationals who evacuated from Iran and travelled through Turkey, upon their arrival in Thailand at the same airport.

Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand’s foreign minister, greets Thai evacuees from Iran upon their arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on March 9. // Foreign Ministry Facebook

Sihasak greeted the group and expressed appreciation to all concerned agencies for their effective cooperation.

He reaffirmed that the ministry, Thai embassies and consulates-general in the region, and all government agencies continue to stand ready to facilitate, support and assist Thai nationals affected by the situation in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Panidone Pachimsawat said after a meeting of the government’s Centre for Monitoring and Managing the Situation in the Middle East at Government House that the overall situation in the Middle East remains severe, with continued exchanges of missile and drone attacks.

He said there were recent reports of an attack on an oil refinery in Bahrain, as well as ongoing attacks in Lebanon, resulting in a rise in casualties.

Moreover, there are currently no signs that the conflicting parties, the United States, Israel and Iran, will return to negotiations, he said, adding that leaders on all sides continue to adopt hardline positions despite calls to end hostilities.

The ministry is therefore closely monitoring developments, particularly attacks on infrastructure in the region, while stressing that there have so far been no reports of Thai nationals injured or killed in the incidents.

However, given the uncertainty of the situation, Thai nationals have been advised to avoid travelling to the Middle East and to consider leaving high-risk areas as soon as possible.

They are also urged to register their contact details and addresses with the relevant Thai embassy or consulate-general.

Panidone added that Qatar Airways is scheduled to resume flights to Bangkok on March 11, after previously restoring only some services.

In Iraq, another 14 Thai nationals are being evacuated from the area, with coordination by the Thai embassy in Amman, before travelling to the temporary operations centre in Van, Turkey.

The centre is ready to receive them and coordinate their return to Thailand.

In other countries across the region, Thai embassies and consulates-general continue to assist Thai nationals by providing advice, coordinating with airlines and supplying essential items.

They are also arranging cross-border travel from countries where airspace remains closed, including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq, enabling Thais to travel to neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman and Turkey before returning to Thailand or travelling onward to third countries by air.

Panidone said that since the conflict began, a total of 351 Thai nationals stranded in the Middle East have been assisted in returning to Thailand.

The Foreign Ministry also urged Thais still residing in the Middle East to avoid gathering areas or protests in countries experiencing conflict and to closely follow official announcements.

Thailand, he added, continues to uphold the principle of peace and calls on all parties to pursue diplomatic and peaceful negotiations to prevent the conflict from escalating further, stressing that the safety of Thai nationals in the region remains the top priority.