Thais warned to avoid visiting Libya

[Lite Beer]

UNREST OVERSEAS
Thais warned to avoid visiting Libya
Thammaraj Kijchalong
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Violence looks set to get worse, consular deputy warns

Relevant authorities have warned Thais against going to Libya - where ongoing violence looks set to escalate.

Trips planned by workers, old and new, to the northern African country should be suspended until further notice, they said.

"We now even have to prepare evacuation plans for Thais who have already been there, in case the situation really becomes more serious," Consular Affairs Department deputy head Prasittiporn Wetprasit said yesterday.

He spoke after his agency and the Labour Ministry discussed evacuation plans for Thais in five countries hit by unrest - Libya, Israel, Iraq, Kenya and Ukraine.

At this point, evacuations have not been ordered because unrest has not affected the lives of Thais in these countries yet.

"Their relatives may seek updates on these situations by calling (02) 575 1047," the senior official said.

Prasittiporn said Libya was ranked at Level 3 on a scale for the severity of emergencies. If the situation reaches Level 5, evacuations are recommended.

Three years ago, Thais in Libya were evacuated in the face of serious unrest. "So, we already have a full list of contacts for Thais living and working there," Prasittiporn said.

Evacuations possible

He said evacuations from Libya could be done via land or sea. If by land, evacuees would head to either Tunisia or Egypt. If by boat, they would go to Tunisia.

They could stay in a third country for a while to see if the situation in Libya eases. But if violence showed no sign of easing, they may be sent back to Thailand.

If the situation in Israel becomes more worrying, evacuations will be arranged, with workers sent to Jordan.

Employment Department chief Sumet Mahosot said there were about 1,500 Thai workers in Libya, plus about 27,000 in Israel, about 40 in Iraq, about 30 in Kenya and about 200 in Ukraine.

He reiterated that workers based in Libya and Israel were safe, saying their relatives at home had been informed of this in writing.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Thais-warned-to-avoid-visiting-Libya-30238914.html

-- The Nation 2014-07-19

[rhythmworx]

Such a shame that.

Tthe In-laws have saved up for years to visit Libya and only just last week booked their flight.

They will be devastated.

[Somtamnication]

Calling my travel agent right now!!

[lostsoul49]

Such a shame that.

Tthe In-laws have saved up for years to visit Libya and only just last week booked their flight.

They will be devastated.

I take it this is pure sarcasm.

[trainman34014]

Can't image Thai's queuing to visit Libya. I doubt the vast majority have ever heard of it or would even know it existed.

[BuaBS]

Another country in ruins . Thanks 'merica , thanks nato slaves.

Gadaffi was the best. Nice stable country , moslim but none of those radical ones. ( sure some torture and imprisonment , but hey which country doesn't do that ? )

But like Sadam , Chavez , Gadaffi liked a gold backed currency . It was the first they stole from him and Libya.

Now the country is ruined like Iraq , Syria ,.....

[belg]

i think SYRIA or IRAQ is nice, this time of year

with thais focussing on what is happening in thailand only, between 2 soaps in (and copying their behaviour in real life), no wonder they need to be told where to go

[mrfill]

Such a shame that.

Tthe In-laws have saved up for years to visit Libya and only just last week booked their flight.

They will be devastated.

Never mind. Perhaps a couple of weeks in Ukraine would cheer them up

[Tchooptip]

Can't image Thai's queuing to visit Libya. I doubt the vast majority have ever heard of it or would even know it existed.

Not sure the Thais working in Libya are visting the country but at least they are 1500, so enough for being concerned about them I guess.

[Prbkk]

Libya is a very beautiful country. Unsafe now, yes but full of charm and hidden delights, eg, spectacular roman ruins. Such a pity to see it descend into chaos once again.

[ginjag]

Such a shame that.

Tthe In-laws have saved up for years to visit Libya and only just last week booked their flight.

They will be devastated.

I take it this is pure sarcasm.

My kind of humour.

Thread could have been Kenyan's warned about visiting Siberia in January.

[rhythmworx]

An old friend called me today she say "Jimmy I want go Libya"

I said "why, what you do when you get there?"

She said "I want to take photo of no good, and sell to newspaper for make money"

I said "how can you sell photo if no good?"

She said "I can make good photo I riot in Bangkok before, no promplem for me"

I said "if you make money, you spend money on flight, hotel and food"

She said "yes I know but I want to eat some kibbeh and take photo"

I said "who pay you for photo?"

She said "I think many man on street want to take photo with me and they can pay 1000 baht"

I said "stop thinking, you think too much"

Battery went flat....

[robertthebruce]

Such a shame that.

Tthe In-laws have saved up for years to visit Libya and only just last week booked their flight.

They will be devastated.

I know how they feel we had booked up to go there too... Where now ???? Hard choice...

[ginjag]

Such a shame that.

Tthe In-laws have saved up for years to visit Libya and only just last week booked their flight.

They will be devastated.

I know how they feel we had booked up to go there too... Where now ???? Hard choice...

OOOhhh I forgot to cancel the mother in laws ticket.