Bangkok: Deputy Minister Song’ has assured that Thai workers in Israel are safe, with no current notifications requesting their return to Thailand. He emphasized that the Ministry of Labor is prepared to send officials to receive them in case of an emergency.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyudh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor, discussed the situation of Thai workers in Israel amidst the ongoing unrest in the Middle East. After leading the 3/2025 meeting of the Coordinating Assistance Center Committee to Monitor the Unrest in the State of Israel, Mr. Boonsong stated that the Ministry is closely monitoring the situation between Israel and Iran under the guidance of Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister. The ultimate aim is to ensure the complete safety of all Thai workers in the region.
The Ministry of Labor, along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and military forces, is actively monitoring developments. In the event of any severe incidents, they are prepared to promptly repatriate Thai nationals. Reports from labor officials at the Royal Thai Embassies in Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi confirm that none of the 39,500 Thai workers in Israel or the 109 in Iran wish to return. Importantly, there have been no reports of injuries or fatalities among Thai workers. On June 23, 2015, 22 Thai workers returned from Chemo Aharon due to the completion of their employment contracts, not as a result of the unrest. The Ministry of Labor, alongside Suvarnabhumi Immigration Checkpoint officials, welcomed them upon arrival.
Mr. Boonsong assured that in an emergency, the Ministry of Labor will collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to implement evacuation plans swiftly. He reassured the relatives of Thai workers that the Ministry, through its offices in Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi, will closely coordinate and support Thai workers.
Thai workers in Israel and Iran are encouraged to install the “SMART TOEA” app to allow real-time tracking of their locations, which will aid in timely care or evacuation during emergencies. Relatives with questions or recommendations about the app can contact the Ministry of Labor through provided phone numbers.