BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra returned from participating in the ASEAN Summit in Laos at 5 PM on October 11. Upon arrival at Military Airport 2, Wing 6, she greeted reporters with a friendly “Sabaidee” (Lao for “hello”) but did not respond to questions regarding the recent death of Thai workers in Israel or the case involving the direct sales company, The Icon Group. The Prime Minister acknowledged feeling tired before quickly departing.
Subsequently, Government Spokesperson Jirayu Huangsap provided an update, stating that the Prime Minister has been informed about the Thai fatalities in Israel. She has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to closely monitor the situation and to issue warnings to Thai nationals near high-risk areas. The Prime Minister emphasized the need for hourly updates on the situation, especially regarding developments in Israel, and expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. Efforts are currently underway to gather information about the identities and locations of the deceased individuals, as well as their family connections.
In addition, the Prime Minister received a report on domestic crime from Police General Kittirat Phunphet, who briefed her on the situation involving fraudulent schemes, specifically concerning The Icon Group. The Prime Minister has directed the National Police Chief to closely monitor the investigation, aiming to establish standards for addressing such issues and to collaborate with other agencies involved in combating money laundering. (TNA)