Over 20,000 Thai workers choose to stay in Israel amidst escalating conflict

Despite escalating conflict in Israel, over 20,000 Thai workers have opted to remain, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry continues to commit itself to facilitating the return of those wishing to leave. Before the occurrence of the cross-border raids by Hamas forces on October 7, approximately 30,000 Thai citizens were working in Israel.

However, the number of Thai workers seeking to return home has significantly dwindled in recent days, which led to the closure of the coordination centre at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv. The last few workers who registered for repatriation landed in Thailand the previous day.

The majority of the 14 officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who were based at the centre, have now returned home. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and the Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Sarun Charoensuwan, gave them a warm welcome.

Parnpree praised the officials for their commitment to the mission during the crisis.

“I wanted to meet the people who made sacrifices to bring us updates on the situation.”

Parnpree visited Qatar and Egypt from October 30 to November 2 to explore ways to free Thai citizens, held hostage by Hamas. He held meetings with the prime minister of Qatar, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Iran and Egypt’s foreign affairs minister.

Pongsathorn Chutha­samit, director of the Reception Division, Department of Protocol, who was among those recalled from Tel Aviv, coordinated with Israeli authorities to move Thai workers out of the danger zone and to the nearest evacuation centre.

Five officers stayed in Israel to assist with the repatriation of Thai hostages once they were released by their captors, Pongsathorn said. Currently, 24 Thai citizens are held hostage by Hamas. Nineteen Thais have been injured in the ongoing conflict, and the death toll has risen to 34, reported Bangkok Post.

Pongsathorn confirmed that the embassy is prepared to assist the 20,000-plus workers who decided to stay in Israel if required.

Noraset Srimayok, a junior diplomat with the Department of South Asia, Middle East and African Affairs, expressed relief at being able to facilitate the return of these workers, describing the repatriation effort as a unique experience.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated that all concerned parties are striving to negotiate the release of Thai hostages. He had spoken with the chief of the defence forces, Songwit Noonpakdi, who confirmed that the Thai hostages were safe.

Labour Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn announced that the ministry will provide an additional 50,000 baht in compensation to repatriated Thai workers, supplementing the 15,000 baht they will receive from the welfare fund for overseas workers. He urged Thai workers who chose to stay in Israel to maintain contact with the labour attache in case they face threat.

Follow more of The Thaiger’s latest stories on our new Facebook page HERE.