Thailand's Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow welcomed 29 Thai nationals at Suvarnabhumi International Airport on March 9, following their evacuation from Iran. They arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul amid ongoing Middle Eastern tensions. The government is actively assisting citizens affected by the situation and is arranging more evacuations.
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Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly after the US-Israel joint operation against Iran on February 28, Thailand has been preparing contingency plans for its nationals. Evacuations became necessary due to the heightened risks in the region. The Foreign Ministry, along with Thai embassies and other agencies, has been instrumental in the ongoing support and coordination efforts.
Minister Phuangketkeow commended embassy staff in Tehran for facilitating the evacuation despite challenges such as a ten-hour overland trip to Turkey. Another 23 Thai nationals, including children, were scheduled to return the following day. The Iranian government was acknowledged for its cooperation and security support during these efforts.
Approximately 75 more Thai nationals were anticipated to depart Tehran using the same evacuation route. While some citizens, like students, opted to stay in Iran, the government recommended families with children return to Thailand temporarily. Efforts to assist Thais across the Middle East are ongoing, with regular flights aiding over 100 individuals.
Returning evacuees expressed gratitude for the government's assistance and described their journey as smooth yet exhausting. Despite airstrikes in Iran, daily life activities appeared to continue. Areas such as Bahrain, Qatar, and Lebanon remain under scrutiny, with evacuees sometimes transiting through Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reported The Thaiger.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · The Thaiger · 10 Mar 2026