Thai PM orders embassy to evacuate nationals amid Israel-Iran tensions

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra directed the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv to vigilantly monitor the security situation in Israel, provide updates to Thai nationals residing there, and facilitate their evacuation if necessary.

This directive came yesterday in response to rising tensions between Iran and Israel. Iran responded to missile attacks by the state after Israel claimed they were targeting Hezbollah officials.

The 38 year old Thai premier instructed the embassy to promptly notify all Thais living in high-risk zones and collaborate with other parties to ensure their swift evacuation to safety, according to Jirayu Huangsap, an adviser to the prime minister.

The embassy shared an update from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on its Facebook page on October 1, announcing that three more cities—Dovev, Tziv’on, and Malkia—had been declared closed military zones. These cities are located in the northern border area near Lebanon.

For several weeks, missile strikes have targeted many areas of northern Israel by Iran after the former attacked the latter.

The first three cities declared closed military zones on September 30 night were Metula, Misgav Am, and Kfar Giladi, according to the embassy.

All six cities are now considered off-limits to workers and civilian residents, the embassy stated.

Thai nationals in these cities are advised to evacuate immediately. Those needing assistance with travel can contact the embassy at +972 54-636-8150, +972 50-367-3195, or +972 54-569-3476. The official Line ID of the embassy is 0545693476.

Before the Hamas attack in southern Israel last October, approximately 30,000 Thai nationals were employed in the country, mainly in agriculture and construction. Nearly 9,000 were repatriated in the initial days and weeks of the conflict with Hamas, while the rest stayed behind in safer areas, officials confirmed at the time.

Around 600 Thai labourers, the first to travel to Israel since the Hamas attack last October, arrived in the country in July, reported Bangkok Post.

Of the 31 Thai nationals initially taken hostage by Hamas last October, 23 have been released. Two were confirmed dead in May, and the fate of the remaining six remains unknown.