ANKARA, Turkey – A first group of 62 Thai nationals evacuated from Iran arrived safely in Turkey on Sunday evening as regional tensions escalate, Thai officials said, marking the beginning of a broader evacuation effort from the Middle East.
The group traveled by road from Tehran and Qom, crossed into Turkey at the Kapikoy border point. They were met by officials from the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara. The evacuees are currently staying in the city of Van, where they have been provided with food and emergency supplies while awaiting flights back to Thailand scheduled for March 9 and 10.
Panidone Patchimsawat, acting Director-General of the Department of Information, confirmed that while no Thais have been injured, the situation in the region remains volatile and unpredictable. He urged all Thai citizens in high-risk areas—including Iran, Israel, and Lebanon—to leave the region as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, 18 other Thais have successfully evacuated from Iraq into Turkey via the city of Mardin, bringing the total number of assisted citizens to 292 as the government intensifies its safety mission. (TNA)
