Concerns are growing for Thai nationals working in Israel and Saudi Arabia as regional tensions escalate. The Thai Ministry of Labour is closely monitoring the situation and providing support to citizens in both countries.
Reports indicate that 49 Thai citizens have already requested assistance to return home, according to recent statements. The Thai government has affirmed that Thai Airways has not been used to transport any weapons to Israel, addressing earlier speculation.
The situation is particularly precarious for the approximately 30,000 Thai agricultural workers in Israel, many of whom are working in areas near the border with Lebanon, where they have been subjected to rocket fire. Earlier this week, on October 31, a rocket strike killed four Thai laborers and one Israeli citizen in Kfar Yuval, Israel. Despite the danger, many continue to work in fields and orchards that Israeli authorities have declared off-limits to their own citizens.
The Thai Ministry of Labour, led by Treenuch Thienthong, has expressed its concern for the safety of Thai workers in Israel following the heightened tensions in the Middle East. This comes as the region faces increasing instability.
Meanwhile, the Thai consulate in Jeddah has issued a warning to Thai citizens in five Saudi Arabian provinces, urging them to remain vigilant amid rising tensions in the Middle East. This advisory underscores the broadening scope of the potential impact on Thai nationals.
Thailand’s Finance Ministry has established a “war room” to assess and respond to the economic effects of the Middle East crisis, estimating six potential impacts on the Thai economy. Officials state that Thailand is resilient and prepared to navigate the challenges. The move underscores the government’s proactive approach to mitigating potential economic fallout.
