BANGKOK, THAILAND – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul placed authorities on a state of “maximum readiness” to airlift Thai nationals from the escalating crisis in the Middle East, stressing neutrality in the conflict but declaring the protection of tens of thousands of citizens in the region the government’s top priority.
Government moves into crisis mode
Prime Minister Anutin ordered an immediate repatriation campaign through the Foreign Ministry and the Royal Thai Air Force to evacuate citizens from areas designated as high risk. Thais in Iran were to be airlifted first, followed by a phased evacuation from Israel, paced according to a security situation monitored around the clock.
In a statement on his personal Facebook page, Anutin said Thailand was geopolitically neutral but that the well-being of Thais living in the Middle East took absolute precedence.
“The well-being of our brothers and sisters in Iran and Israel is our main mission.”
said Anutin, after consultations with Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and the air force commander-in-chief, who mobilized transport aircraft for a swift return home.
Economic fallout raises concern
The decision to begin evacuations in Iran was explained as an effort to reduce the risk of a sudden military escalation that could close exit corridors without warning. At the same time, Anutin voiced serious concern about the impact of the war on the global economy and on Thailand’s still fragile post-pandemic recovery.
To shield the domestic economy from expected energy and supply-chain shocks, the premier set up an inter-ministerial task force including the ministries of Finance, Labour, Public Health and Defence to monitor developments 24 hours a day.
“We will take every possible measure to overcome this crisis and ensure that our economy is affected as little as possible,”
said Anutin, adding that the government also wanted to look for opportunities for the country amid instability.
Air force details evacuation routes
The Royal Thai Air Force said it had completed a comprehensive evacuation plan for Thais stranded in Iran, using a combined fleet of Airbus jets and C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. Air force chief Air Chief Marshal Seksan Kantha stated on 1 March that the military was prepared to bypass Iranian airspace entirely if necessary and instead use hubs in Dubai and Turkey as “safe havens” for evacuees.
The core mission envisaged a long-distance corridor over India to keep aircraft refuelled and ready for rapid rotations at Imam Khomeini Airport in Tehran. The main route was set from Don Mueang in Bangkok with a roughly six-hour flight to New Delhi, followed by about six and a half hours to Tehran, while an alternative route via the United Arab Emirates or Turkey would be used if Iranian airspace or Tehran’s airport became unavailable.
Coordination with embassies and worker groups
Military officials worked closely with the Foreign Ministry and the Thai embassy in Tehran to compile an official list of those wishing to return and to schedule departure windows. Citizens in the region were urged to remain in constant contact with Thai embassies, as the measures followed Anutin’s declaration of “maximum readiness” in response to US-Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory actions by Tehran.
Labour Minister Treenuch Thienthong expressed concern over Thai workers in Israel in view of the tense Middle East situation and warned of a possible expansion of the conflict with consequences for their safety. She said she had instructed the labour office at the Thai embassy in Abu Dhabi and the labour section at the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv to monitor the situation closely and be ready to support Thai employees immediately if the conflict escalated.
Safety appeals to Thai workers abroad
According to Treenuch, labour offices were currently coordinating warning messages to Thai workers, urging them to move with particular caution and stay in continuous contact with Thai labour groups on the ground.
“I ask relatives of Thai workers abroad not to panic,”
said Treenuch, assuring that the government, embassies and Labour Ministry would provide the best possible protection while workers were urged to follow official instructions strictly.
Energy ministry confident on oil supply
The Energy Ministry said on Sunday it was confident that the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel would not trigger an oil shortage in Thailand. Weerapat Kiartfuangfoo pointed to a total of 7.795 billion litres of oil in stocks and in transit, which he said corresponded to 61 days of consumption.
As of 23 February, the country held 4.925 billion litres of gasoline and crude oil in storage, sufficient for 38 days, while another 2.87 billion litres were at sea, partly transiting the Strait of Hormuz and partly coming from alternative sources. Weerapat noted that four LNG tankers were en route, two of which had already passed through the Strait of Hormuz, and said the Energy Ministry was preparing scenarios and alternative supply sources in case the strait was closed, even though current conditions had not yet significantly affected reserves or prices.