Foreign Ministry Seeking Thais Missing In Quake-hit Haiti

[webfact]

Foreign ministry seeking Thais missing in quake-hit Haiti

BANGKOK, Jan 13 (TNA) - Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday is seeking two Thai nationals reported missing by their families after a powerful earthquake hit the southern part of Haiti, leaving the capital in ruins, and Thailand is considering giving aid to the devastated nation.

A 7.0 magnitude quake hit the Caribbean island nation Tuesday afternoon with its epicentre near the capital Port-au-Prince, while 27 strong aftershocks hit in the hours after the initial 2153 GMT quake, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The tremor choked the country with many thousands feared dead after many buildings collapsed, including the headquarters of the United Nations peacekeeping mission, while the International Red Cross said an estimated 3 million people may have been affected.

The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement saying that it has urged the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations, New York, to help find two Thai nationals working in the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The statement said that the families of two Thais informed the foreign ministry that they were unable to contact the two as all communications network was cut by the powerful quake.

The foreign ministry said that Thais with family members working in Haiti should inform the ministry at 0 2982 8128, noting that Thailand is considering sending aid to the quake-hit nation.

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya sent a letter of condolence to Haitian Foreign Minister Marie-Michele Rey saying "the people of Thailand are saddened to learn of the powerful earthquake which badly hit the southern part of Haiti."

"On behalf of the Government and people of Thailand, I wish to extend my sincere sympathy and condolences to Your Excellency and, through you, to the people of Haiti, especially the bereaved families of the victims, for this unfortunate calamity and casualties. I hope that their livelihood will be restored to normalcy soon," said the statement. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-01-13

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Huey]

As if they don't have enough misfortune and problems there

It would be nice if Thailand chipped up a lil aid package, some Nam Jai and what not.

[moetownblues]

Thailand is considering sending aid. That is nice but will they? I doubt it very much. Thais won't give anything away especially money.

[Scott]

My thoughts are with the people of Haiti. There is a lot of suffering there to begin with, and they really don't deserve any more. My thoughts are with the family of the two Thai people in Haiti as well, I hope there is word about them soon and that they are OK.

It's nice that the Thai gov't is considering sending aid. Even small donations would be appreciated, I am sure and I have a feeling that some of that lovely Thai rice would be helpful to both the bodies of the souls of a lot of people.

[geriatrickid]

All the aid in the world cannot change the man made fate of Haiti. Billions have poured in over the years. Where has it gone?

Yes it is a tragedy, but there comes a time when one has to accept that the manner in which aid has been distributed and provided to Haiti over the past 50 years is a failure. Maybe the first step is to ask all the religious organizations to stop interfering with birth control and family planning. The country cannot support the population's rate of growth.

[webfact]

MFA Approves Aide to Haiti

UPDATE : 14 January 2010

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has approved $20,000 U.S. in aide to Haiti. Officials are now pushing forward with efforts to help four Thai laborers stranded there. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be sending a condolence letter.

-- Tan Network 2010-01-14

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[goldfinger]

....$20,000 U.S. in aide to Haiti.

really great.....

(oh sorry, forgot the condolence letter.

Edited January 14, 2010 by goldfinger

[webfact]

Foreign Min: Four Thais in Haiti Are Safe

UPDATE : 14 January 2010

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has been able to locate and contact 4 Thais living in Haiti when the devastating quake struck. The ministry says they are safe. Meanwhile, the ministry is slated to send Bt660,000 in aides to assist the quake victims.

-- Tan Network 2010-01-14

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[brianw]

Something is wrong I am sure the Thai gov. had forgot to put on a couple of extra noughts on to the $20.000 usa especially after how the world helped Thailand recover from the tsunami. I would like to suggest the they donate the billions of baht they conviscated from thaksin if it has not already been shared out

[animatic]

Foreign Min: Four Thais in Haiti Are Safe

UPDATE : 14 January 2010

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has been able to locate and contact 4 Thais living in Haiti when the devastating quake struck. The ministry says they are safe. Meanwhile, the ministry is slated to send Bt660,000 in aides to assist the quake victims.

-- Tan Network 2010-01-14

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

Sounds like too little,

but $20,000 in $1 blankets warms a lot of cold people who lost every thing.

Maybe they will send more later. Maybe a zero is missing on the report

the Nation isn't known for being good with numbers.

We can hope so.

Edited January 14, 2010 by animatic

[Jingthing]

It is an embarrassingly small amount of money. Oh well. They might actually do better to promote the idea of the public donating small amounts of money. I don't mean to be condescending but I think it would be a healthy thing for everyday Thai people to think a little more about the world at large and not only Thailand. Yes I know Thailand itself always needs help but it would be a way for Thailand to remember all the global help they got after the tsunami. They are part of the world and that isn't always one way.

Edited January 14, 2010 by Jingthing

[moetownblues]

Something is wrong I am sure the Thai gov. had forgot to put on a couple of extra noughts on to the $20.000 usa especially after how the world helped Thailand recover from the tsunami. I would like to suggest the they donate the billions of baht they conviscated from thaksin if it has not already been shared out

I think that the 20,000 is a misprint. Individuals donate more than that. 20,000 is less than one days scamming and dual pricing.