The Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration announced that it has assisted 322 Thais out of risk zones in the Middle East and is preparing to receive a second group of 23 individuals from Tehran, arriving in Thailand tomorrow morning.
On 9 March 2026, Mr. Panidol Patchimsawat, Acting Director-General of the Communications Department and Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported that violence continues in the Middle East with ongoing missile attacks in Iran, Israel, Kuwait, and Lebanon, targeting key infrastructure. Nevertheless, 322 Thais have been evacuated from risk areas so far. Tomorrow (10 March), another 23 people will arrive in Thailand. Authorities are coordinating with Thais who have left Iran for Turkey to facilitate their return home. Qatar Airways has opened an emergency flight route (Bangkok-Doha) to evacuate stranded individuals and is negotiating to open return flights to bring Thais back.
Mr. Santi Nantsuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, stated that currently there are 67,043 Thai workers residing in the Middle East. Among them, 941 have expressed the desire to return to Thailand: 41 from Iran, 205 from Saudi Arabia, and 23 from Israel. For those returning, officials are stationed at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, equipped with a QR Code system to register needs for new jobs, vocational training, or language skill development. Benefits from the Overseas Employment Fund for workers returning due to war include a 15,000 baht relief payment per person; 30,000 baht in case of disability; and for fatalities, heirs receive 40,000 baht plus actual funeral expenses up to 40,000 baht.
The Ministry of Labour requests families of workers abroad to help update the “Smart TOEA” application to the latest version to receive emergency alerts and send help messages directly to the government. There are three Thai labour offices in the region coordinating closely with embassies 24/7. People in risk zones should promptly provide their contact details to the embassy. Workers who have returned to Thailand can access benefits at the Department of Employment or any provincial employment office nationwide.