Phiphat revealed that airlines are taking care of tourists stranded within the country, while Airports of Thailand (AOT) is providing assistance. He believes Thai Airways is not affected because it has few flights to the Middle East.
At 13:25 on 2 Mar 2026 at the Government House, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, spoke about the care for passengers stranded in Thailand who cannot travel to the Middle East. He said airlines are looking after stranded tourists, and Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited (AOT) is facilitating support. He believes there should be no problems for stranded passengers.
Asked whether all airlines are currently managing their passengers, Phiphat said all airlines with ticketed passengers are providing care. Most have chosen to return to the city. He believes there should be no issues but advised waiting for the Prime Minister’s official statement for clarity.
Regarding the closure of Middle Eastern airspace, he was asked how the situation is being monitored and whether flights must reroute. Phiphat said flights must reroute, except for countries whose airspace is closed and cannot be crossed. However, this does not significantly affect Thai Airways because it has relatively few flights to the Middle East.
When asked about cargo shipping and the increased costs if vessels must take longer routes, he said the matter concerning cargo ships requires more time to assess. For energy shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz, there are some issues depending on whether the conflict prolongs. He advised waiting for the Prime Minister’s comprehensive statement.