BANGKOK, Thailand – The Rapid Response Center (RRC) meeting, chaired by Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Nathapol Khantahiran, was held on 26 August. The meeting focused on assessing the situation and preparing for the potential evacuation of Thai nationals in Israel and Lebanon following recent hostilities.
On August 25, a rocket attack between Lebanon and Israel led to Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah missile sites in southern Lebanon, with Hezbollah retaliating by firing over 320 missiles into Israel. The situation has since stabilized, with no casualties reported. However, Thai authorities are staying vigilant in case the conflict escalates again.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has contacted Thai nationals in northern Israel, confirming their safety. The Royal Thai Embassy in Riyadh has also contacted 118 Thai nationals in Lebanon. Although concerned, they have not requested evacuation at this time. If Beirut’s airport closes, plans are in place to evacuate them to Turkey via commercial or charter flights, with a sea route as a backup.
In Tehran, the Royal Thai Embassy reported that Iranian media has not yet commented on the situation, likely due to the ongoing pilgrimage season and the recent formation of a new government. Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire and secure the release of six Thai hostages in the region are ongoing.
Thai nationals planning to travel to Israel and surrounding areas have been advised to exercise caution or postpone their trips. Those in high-risk areas are encouraged to leave while commercial flights are available. Should the situation worsen, an evacuation plan is ready, with Thai nationals to be relocated to a safer third country rather than repatriated to Thailand.
The Ministry of Labor has suspended worker deployments to affected areas, and all relevant embassies continue to monitor the situation closely, ready to assist Thai nationals as needed.
For emergency assistance, Thai nationals can contact:
Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv (Israel): +972 546 368 150 / +972 503 673 195, email: [email protected], Facebook: Royal Thai Embassy, Tel Aviv
Royal Thai Embassy in Tehran (Iran and Syria): +98 912 500 7933 / +98 912 159 8699, email: [email protected], Facebook Page: ThailandinIran
Royal Thai Embassy in Riyadh (Lebanon): +966 5442 46541 / +966 5546 22005 / +966 5822 17777, email: [email protected], Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiEmbassyRiyadh/
Honorary Consulate in Beirut (Lebanon): +961 815 10150
Royal Thai Embassy in Amman (Jordan and Iraq): +962 079 848 5558, email: [email protected], Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RTEamman/?locale=th_TH
Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo (Egypt): +201 0194 01243, email: [email protected], Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rtecairo?mibextid=LQQJ4d
For further assistance, Thai nationals can also contact the Consular Affairs Department Call Center at 02 572 8442. (NNT)
