BANGKOK, 17 March 2011 (NNT) – Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya has indicated that the Ministry has not been able to contact about 5,000 Thai nationals in the quake and tsunami-devastated areas of Japan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today convened with related agencies to evaluate Japan’s situation following the powerful earthquake and tsunami as well as impacts from the leakage of nuclear radiation in order to lay down an assistance plan. Mr Kasit pointed out that there were totally 20,000 Thai citizens in 11 prefectures affected by the tragedy; however, only 15,000 of them had been found and confirmed safe.
The Ministry is now speedily coordinating with networks of Thai people in the country in order to locate the other 5,000 and is hoping that none of them would be included in Japan’s list of missing victims, numbering over 9,000 at present.
Since yesterday, Thai citizens have been gradually traveling back home from the quake-hit country. Mr Kasit stressed that a one-way ticket from Japan to Bangkok now costs 16,000 THB, including tax, and if any passengers are charged by ticket agencies at higher rates, they can report the matter to Thai Airways International as well as Thai embassies and consulates in Japan for further action.
As for a bank account opened by the Foreign Ministry to receive donations for Japan, Mr Kasit disclosed that the total amount had exceeded 20 million THB and was still rising. The fund will go directly to the Japanese Red Cross Society as the sole recipient.
