Another 130 Thais return from Israel; 32 more flights likely

PRIME MINISTER Srettha Thavisin said he was happy another group of 130 Thais returned home on an air force Airbus A340-500  flight that landed at Don Mueang Airport at 6.50 a.m. this morning (Oct. 16) and that there will be at least another 32 repatriation flights from Israel, Thai Rath, Naewna newspapers and Amarin TV said.

The prime minister also instructed the Labour Ministry to help find the returning workers suitable jobs.

On hand to receive the returning Thais were Defence Minister Suthin Klangsaeng and ACM Seksan Khantha, air force chief-of-staff.

Of the 130 returnees, there were 127 men, two women and one girl. They all underwent a physical examination before boarding the airplane and will now undergo a thorough physical examination.

The second air force repatriation flight, also an Airbus A340-500, is scheduled for Oct. 18, 2023 and will be travelling on the same flight route.

As of yesterday, altogether 28 Thais have died in the Israel-Hamas war with 17 taken captive and 16 injured.

Suthin said that originally 138 Thais were to fly back on this flight but eight did not show up and it is being investigated why they missed the flight but it could be that it is difficult to travel to Ben Gurion International Airport.

It could also be that they changed their mind and decided to stay on in Israel.

Four of the 130 people returning today are sick and the rest healthy but they will be sent to Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute for a checkup and then separately sent home.

Approximately 6,000 Thais should be evacuated by the end of this month, Suthin added.

CAPTION:

Thai workers who returned early this morning, Oct. 16, 2023. Photos: Naewna

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