Summary of Weekly Press Briefing

by Director-General of Department of Information/Spokesperson of MFA

Thursday 9 November 2023 at 10.30 hrs.

Press Conference Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MFA FB Live

1. PM to attend 30^th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in USA

• Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin will attend 2023 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco, USA, during 12 – 17 November 2023.
• Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, has already briefed the media on Thursday 8 November 2023.

2. Annual Meeting of Ambassadors and Consuls-General 2023 (20 – 24 November)

• MFA will organize a Meeting of Ambassadors and Consuls-General between 20-24 November 2023.
• Key activities include:
  • Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister / Minister of Foreign Affairs will give policy statements;
  • Meeting between Ambassadors, Consuls-General, as well as Commercial Attachés (Ministry of Commerce) and Investment Attachés (BOI);
  • Joint brainstorming session among Ambassadors and Consuls-General;
  • Meeting between Ambassadors, Consuls-General and governors of border provinces;
  • Engagement with various sectors to discuss megatrends, politics, geopolitics and economy.
• There will also be opportunities for members of the press to interview Ambassadors and Consuls-General during the week.

3. Updates on the rescue of Thai nationals in Laukkaing, Shan State, Myanmar (Mr. Rooge Thammongkol, Director-General of Deparment of Consular Affairs, joined in the briefing)

• The Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon reported that a total of 162 Thai nationals have been rescued in Laukkaing by the Myanmar authorities earlier, and 2 more were later saved, making a total of 164 Thai nationals.
• On 7 November 2023, Pol. Gen. Surachate Hakparn, Deputy National Police Chief, together with DG Rooge met with the Myanmar counterparts to (1) confirm that the rescued Thai nationals are currently in a safe place, (2) receive updates on the conflict around Laukkaing, and (3) discuss evacuation plans.
• With regard to the evacuation, the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon has been in contact with Myanmar authorities.
• The Department of Consular Affairs, MFA, and the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon have been active in warning Thai nationals to be careful of online scammers and illegal job offers through their social media platforms.

4. Updates on the Israel-Gaza situation (Mr. Rooge Thammongkol, Director-General of Deparment of Consular Affairs, joined in the briefing)

• There were continuous efforts in assisting and facilitating Thai nationals in Israel, including daily meetings, support teams sent to Tel Aviv, and constant flight coordination.
• The Thai authorities will continue to work with relevant parties on securing the release of Thai hostages.
• Statistics regarding Thai nationals affected:
  • Death toll: 34
  • Number of injuries: 4 currently receiving medical treatments in hospital
  • Number of abductions: 25
• The Royal Thai Government has completed the 1st phrase of the mission. A total of 35 flights evacuated 7,470 Thai nationals back to Thailand. Together with those who bought their own tickets home, more than 8,500 Thai nationals have returned back to Thailand, while about 20,000 Thai nationals decided to continue to stay in Israel.

Watch full session https://fb.watch/ocw-m09tIB/

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