Summary of Press Briefing
at the Joint Management and Monitoring Center for the Situation in the Middle East

by Mr. Panidone Pachimsawat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Deputy Spokesperson
on 8 March 2026 at 18.10 hrs at the Government House

1. Developments in the Situation in the Middle East

• The overall situation in the region remains volatile, with continued exchanges of missile and drone attacks, particularly in Iran, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon.
• At the same time, Iran has signaled that it will not target other countries in the region and will focus only on U.S. military bases. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran stated that its operations are carried out in self-defense. However, developments regarding attacks on critical infrastructure in the region should continue to be closely monitored.
• Meanwhile, the U.S. President has indicated that there will be heavy strikes against Iran and that there may be consideration of expanding targets to areas that were previously not within the scope of attacks, leaving the situation highly tense and uncertain.
• Regarding the current status of airspace operations: Although Qatar continues to close its airspace to commercial flights, special flights have partially resumed to facilitate the departure of stranded passengers.
• Currently, no Thai nationals have been reported injured or killed. However, given the continued uncertainty of the situation, we continue to urge Thai citizens to consider leaving high-risk areas as soon as possible and to register their current location and contact details with the responsible Royal Thai Embassies or Consulates-General.

2. Developments on Assistance Provided to Affected Thai Nationals

• In Iran, we are pleased to report that the group of 62 Thai nationals safely arrived in Türkiye by land route last evening (7 March 2026). They were received at the Kapikoy border crossing by officials from the Department of Consular Affairs and the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara.
• The group has since proceeded to the city of Van and will depart for Thailand in two groups by air; the first arriving on 9 March and the second arriving on 10 March 2026.
• The Department of Consular Affairs is working closely with the Royal Thai Embassies in Tehran and Ankara, to successfully carry out this operation.
• This effort is part of the Royal Thai Government’s policy to assist Thai nationals affected by the situation in the Middle East to leave high-risk areas as soon as possible and in safety.
• Türkiye: The Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara is also facilitating border crossings for Thai nationals from Iraq, in coordination with the Royal Thai Embassy in Amman, Jordan. The latest group of 10 Thai nationals from Iraq arrived safely in Turkey last night (7 March 2026) and will fly to Thailand from Istanbul.
• Qatar: Today, Qatar Airways will operate emergency flights to bring stranded passengers from several cities in Europe and Bangkok back to Doha. However, Qatar’s airspace remains closed to commercial flights.
• Overall, so far, 292 Thai nationals have returned to Thailand.
• As for other countries, the Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates-General will continue to facilitate, assist and provide guidance to Thai nationals who wish to return to Thailand, while coordinating with relevant authorities to expedite the necessary procedures.

3. In closing

• The freedom of expression must be respected. However, at a time when the situation remains sensitive, the presentation of information to the public should be based on facts and should be done in a responsible manner, in order to avoid misunderstandings, especially as Thai nationals still remain in the affected areas. Their safety remains the highest priority.