AS THE war in the Middle East continues to rage fiercely altogether 322 Thais have been rescued from high-risk areas with the first group of 29 evacuees from Iran having arrived in Thailand today (Mar. 9) while 23 others are expected to do so tomorrow, Naewna newspaper said this evening.
In the daily briefing by the Middle East Situation Monitoring and Administration Centre within the Government House at 6.10 p.m. Mr. Panidol Patchimsawat, acting director-general of the Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the overall situation remains volatile with missile attacks continuing in Iran, Israel, Kuwait, and Lebanon and no sign of either side returning to negotiations. This then necessitates close monitoring.
Fortunately there are no reports of Thais being injured or killed but all those in danger zones are urged to leave as soon as possible and provide their contact details to the relevant Thai embassy.
Regarding airspace closure, Qatar Airways has begun operating emergency flights with the first flight today (March 9) being on the Doha-Bangkok route to evacuate stranded passengers but it remains to be seen whether this route will remain open to bring more passengers to Thailand.
A third group of Thais are currently travelling from Iran to Turkey with close coordination underway to facilitate their return to Thailand, Panidol said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Santi Nantasuwan, deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labour, said there are currently 67,043 Thai workers in the Middle East. Of these, 941 have registered through the embassies to return to Thailand but only one did so on Friday (Mar. 6). Of those who want to return 41 are fleeing Iran, 205 Saudi Arabia, and 23 Israel.
The Labour Ministry is helping workers returning from the Middle East with officials stationed at Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports assisting them in filling out forms to indicate their intention such as seeking employment in Thailand, or perhaps wait to return to work in the Middle East once the situation improves with the third option being requesting vocational training or skills development. Once their objectives are known, relevant agencies will be assigned to handle the matter.
Regarding benefits from the fund to assist overseas workers, if the country where the worker is employed declares a state of war, those who are members of this fund are entitled to the following welfare payments:
– Upon returning to Thailand due to war, they will receive 15,000 baht per person.
– In case of disability, they will receive 30,000 baht.
– In case of death, heirs will receive 40,000 baht. Should the funeral take place abroad, heirs will receive funeral expenses based on actual costs, not exceeding 40,000 baht per person.
Workers returning from war zones should contact the Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour, or provincial employment offices nationwide for further details.
CAPTION:
Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow greets the first group of Thais returning home from Iran at Suvarnabhumi Airport today, Mar. 9, 2026. Above photo Naewna, Front Page – Amarin TV
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