Bangkok: The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) announced that 215 Thai citizens have been successfully evacuated from the Middle East amid ongoing volatility in the region.
According to Thai News Agency, the Center for Situation Administration (CSAA) has classified the conditions in the Middle East as a humanitarian crisis due to escalating missile and drone attacks. Recently, 62 Thai nationals departed from Iran and are en route to Turkey, contributing to the total number of rescued individuals.
Mr. Panidol Patchimsawat, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided updates on the evacuation efforts. He stated that areas such as Iraq and Lebanon are experiencing increased attacks, necessitating civilian evacuations. Additionally, airspace closures in countries like Iran, Israel, Syria, and Iraq pose further challenges to safe evacuations. However, the UAE has resumed limited flights, enabling some stranded individuals to return home.
Efforts to assist Thai citizens have been extensive. The first group of evacuees from Tehran is expected to reach Turkey soon, while more groups are scheduled to depart in the coming days. Coordination with multiple countries, including Iran, the United States, and Israel, ensures a smooth evacuation process. The Thai Embassy in Tehran is temporarily relocating to Van, Turkey, to continue aiding citizens.
Saudi Arabia remains a viable route for flights to Thailand. The Royal Thai Embassy in Riyadh and Consulate-General in Jeddah have been facilitating travel for Thai citizens. Meanwhile, discussions with private airlines are ongoing to increase flight availability for evacuations.
In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Transport has implemented measures to monitor the situation. The ministry is focused on maintaining service quality, ensuring fair fare prices, and supporting operational availability across transportation sectors. Monitoring centers have been established to track the impact on aviation and other transportation modes.
Mr. Jirarooj Sukulrat, Director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, reported that 584 flights have been affected since late February, impacting over 78,000 passengers. Efforts are underway to provide comprehensive assistance and ensure smooth repatriation processes for travelers. The Ministry of Transport is also managing the impact on waterborne freight and coordinating with international partners to mitigate disruptions.
The public is encouraged to report any transportation-related issues to the Ministry of Transport hotline, while those experiencing fare-related concerns can reach out to the Department of Land Transport hotline, both available for assistance.