DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER and acting Prime Minister Bhumtham Wechayachai said this afternoon (Oct. 8) that while two Thais have been confirmed to have died in the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas gunmen it has been rumoured that as many as 10 to 12 Thais have been killed but this has not yet been confirmed, Matichon newspaper and MCOT said.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is paying an official visit to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore during Oct. 8-12, 2023.
Speaking after a meeting of the Rapid Response Centre lasting around one and half hours Bhumtham, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister for Foreign Affairs Jakkapong Sangmanee and Secretary to the Prime Minister Prommin Lertsuridej, said of the eight Thais injured two were in serious condition with the others suffering minor injuries.
There are almost 30,000 Thais in Israel with 5,000 near Gaza.
The air force has prepared six airplanes to evacuate Thais including an Airbus A340 and five C-130 Hercules airlift aircraft, with all ready to fly to Israel, but there are no details as to when this would be possible.
The Foreign Ministry has told the embassy in Israel to collect the names of Thais there to contact and coordinate with them at various points for immediate action.
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Top from left: Prommin Lertsuridej, Bhumtham Wechayachai and Jakkapong Sangmanee. Photo: Matichon
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