Summary of press briefing on the situation in Israel

Monday 9 October 2023, at 11.00 hrs.,

at Press Conference Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke, Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson held a press conference regarding the situation in Israel and impact on Thai nationals.

2. She informed that the Prime Minister has instructed MFA to hold two press conferences per day to provide regular updates on the situation at 11.00 hrs. and 17.00 hrs. (TBC.). H.E. Ms. Pannabha Chandraramya, Ambassador of Thailand to Israel, will join the press conference this afternoon.

3. Kanchana also gave an overview of the situation on the ground with regard to the ongoing violence and fighting which has led to at least 100 people taken hostage from various countries, including Thailand. The airport in Israel is still operational although flights have been decreased. She sent her moral support to our Embassy team and Thai nationals in Israel.

4. Status of Thai nationals: 8 injured Thai nationals are receiving medical treatment in hospital, 11 Thai nationals have been taken hostage, and the Royal Thai Embassy (RTE) in Tel Aviv has received reports from employers that 12 Thai nationals deceased. We are closely following the situation to confirm these numbers.

5. Evacuation of Thai nationals

• Israeli Government has started relocating civilians, including Thai nationals, from fighting areas to safe areas. At the same time, RTE has circulated a form for Thai nationals to register for voluntary repatriation. Thus far, 1,099 Thai nationals have registered for voluntary repatriation and 22 Thai nationals informed that they do not wish to leave at this moment. As previously informed, there are approximately 30,000 Thai nationals in Israel, of which 5,000 are in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip.
• Yesterday, Acting Prime Minister Bhumtam Wechayachai chaired a meeting of the Rapid Response Center (RRC) to prepare for the possible evacuation of Thai nationals from Israel with regard to potential evacuation routes and preparation of related documents.

6. Government measures/next steps: RRC will meet on a daily basis and will meet today at 13.00 hrs. We will confirm the time of the press conference later on today.

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News Division

Department of Information