CARETAKER Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today (March 1) that Thailand is staying neutral in the US-Israel war on Iran with the conflict also affecting Phuket as 24 flights were either cancelled or delayed today, Amarin TV said.
All relevant agencies, including Foreign Affairs, Defence, Labour, Interior, Public Health and Finance ministries, have made preparations to help Thai citizens stranded in affected countries.
The air force has said it is ready to evacuate Thai citizens from the war-torn Middle East with coordination underway to ensure that as many Thais as possible could be safely flown back home.
“We appeal to all parties to prioritise diplomatic negotiations, dialogue, and building understanding to the fullest extent possible. We want world peace to return as soon as possible,” the Prime Minister said.
Regarding the economic impact, Anutin said while this would be felt steps have to be taken to minimise the effect. Where possible assistance, support, cost reduction, and energy price cuts will be implemented with Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphat instructed to find measures to address this issue.
Anutin also touched on the Thai-Cambodian border situation saying there have been no more clashes so far and the situation is under control but all measures must remain in place with there being no plans to hold negotiations or reopen border crossings.
Meanwhile Phuket Airport said it has taken steps to assist and facilitate passengers affected by the US-Israel war on Iran with 24 flights either cancelled or delayed today.
The affected flights are from five airlines, namely Air Arabia, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Unicair.
Phuket Airport is offering the stranded passengers drinking water as well as having arranged a tourist coordination centre plus a waiting area within the international terminal. Public relations officers were also deployed to provide information and assistance.
These passengers can get more information through the following channels:
– Information counter, 3rd floor, International Terminal, Phuket Airport: Tel. 0-7635-2302
– Air Arabia Contact Centre (UAE): Tel. +971-600-508-001
– Emirates Contact Centre: Tel. +66 2 787 3387
– Etihad Airways Reservation Centre: Tel. +66 2 508 8646
The airport is coordinating with all relevant parties to ensure passengers can continue their journey safely and with confidence while also closely monitoring the war and continuously providing useful information to passengers.
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Top and Front Page – Caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Photos – Amarin TV
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