On 9 October 2023. Mr. Jakkapong Sangmanee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a press conference to provide updates on the meeting of the Rapid Response Center (RRC), to discuss the unfolding situation in the Middle East and preparations for the evacuation of Thai nationals. Ms. Pannabha Chandraramya, Ambassador (Amb) of Thailand to Israel, among others, joined the RRC meeting via teleconference to provide updates on the situation and progress made by the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv (RTE) to assist Thai nationals. The gist of the press briefing is as follows:

The status of Thai nationals in Israel: 9 injured, 11 taken hostage and 12 fatalities (pending verification from Israeli authorities). 80 Thai students in Israel have not been affected thus far and have not registered for voluntary repatriation.

For the evacuation of Thai nationals, Amb updated that 1,437 Thai nationals have registered for voluntary repatriation and 23 Thai nationals have requested to remain in Israel (as of 09:00 hrs. Israel local time today).

At present, a number of injured Thai nationals are fit for travel and there are Thai nationals who have been evacuated into safe zones. RTE will firstly repatriate 15 injured Thai nationals via El Al this Wednesday (11 Oct.) and then start repatriating other injured Thai nationals and those who are in safe zones.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will dispatch additional officials to protect and assist Thai nationals in Israel this week.

Once the repatriated Thai nationals have arrived in Thailand, the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and the Ministry of Public Health stand ready to assist with any physical and mental health or other concerns they may have.

The Deputy Minister reiterated that the Royal Thai Government and the Prime Minister of Thailand attach utmost importance to the safety and welfare of Thai nationals, and that relevant Thai agencies are coordinating their swift and safe repatriation.