BANGKOK – With growing unrest between Israel and Iran, the Thai government is stepping up to ensure the safety of its citizens abroad. In a heartfelt announcement on Tuesday, government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub confirmed that Thailand’s military has been placed on standby, ready to deploy aircraft to evacuate Thai nationals from both countries if necessary.
Currently, approximately 40,000 Thai citizens reside in Israel, most employed through a labor program that places them on farms. In Iran, about 300 Thais are living across various regions. As tensions in the region stretch into a fifth consecutive day of missile exchanges, families back home are growing increasingly anxious.
“We are fully prepared to bring our people home,” Jirayu said, following a cabinet meeting. “Our military is coordinating the necessary resources to ensure we can act swiftly if the situation worsens.”
Both Israel and Iran have shut down their airspace since hostilities intensified last Friday, when Israel launched strikes on military and nuclear sites in Iran. Despite the logistical challenges, Thailand’s embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran are actively implementing evacuation strategies.
The Thai embassy in Tehran has already established a temporary shelter just outside the capital, providing a safer space for Thai nationals to gather and wait for further instructions.
Across the region, other nations are taking similar precautions. China confirmed that it has successfully evacuated some of its citizens from Iran to neighboring countries. “At present, some Chinese citizens have been safely evacuated,” said Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing.
For Thailand, the message is clear: citizens come first. As the situation evolves, the Thai government continues to monitor developments closely, ensuring it can respond with both speed and care to protect its people.
