The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repatriated the first batch of Thais in the second group, numbering 23 people, from Iran. It revealed plans to evacuate another 69 individuals soon. Meanwhile, Thai students said they decided to evacuate for their safety.
At 09:20 on 10 March 2026, Mr. Wichawat Isarapakdi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the second group of 23 Thais evacuated from Iran. They traveled through Turkey along with the group that returned yesterday (9 March) and arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand.
Mr. Wichawat explained that the Thais evacuated from Iran constitute the first group, divided into two flights. The first flight arrived in Thailand on 9 March 2026 with 29 people, and the second flight arrived on 10 March 2026 with 23 people. Currently, 69 Thais are being evacuated from Iran along the same route: from Tehran, Iran, continuing by road to Van, Turkey, then flying from Istanbul Airport to Thailand. He expressed happiness that the Thais have returned home.
Mr. Wichawat stated that the evacuation involved coordination among many parties, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, consuls, the Thai embassy, and consuls in the Middle East and Tehran, to ensure the safest possible evacuation. Around midnight, the Thai Embassy in Turkey reported that evacuees had been sent to Istanbul. Although the evacuation was quite tiring, everyone was glad to have returned.
Regarding whether more Thais wish to return, Mr. Wichawat said a second group of about 69 people is currently traveling by car to Van, Turkey. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with the governments of Iran, Israel, and the United States to ensure the evacuation route is safe. He confirmed there are no major concerns. The Thai embassy in the Middle East is working 24 hours to ensure smooth operations. The Thai Consul General in Dubai has surveyed the route again, driving from Dubai to the Oman border crossing, coordinating with officials to facilitate the evacuation.
The psychological condition of the second group returning to Thailand shows no significant concerns. Everyone is smiling but tired from the journey. At least 130 Thais remain in Iran, with whom the embassy and government maintain contact. The decision to evacuate rests with each individual.
Mr. Wichawat added that besides Iran, other countries such as the UAE and Bahrain still have normal commercial flights to Thailand. The Thai embassies continue to assist by handling visa matters, coordinating with governments, arranging vehicles, and providing survival kits regularly.
Mr. Wichawat said that although the situation is not as severe as initially, attacks continue daily and the conflict is unlikely to end soon.
Mr. Adin Suksasakwin, a Thai student in Iran, said he feels grateful for the support among Thais. Recently, the Deputy Consul General and embassy officials escorted them to the airport. The journey from Tehran, Iran to Van, Turkey was not difficult, just time-consuming.
Mr. Adin explained that the decision to return was for safety, following embassy advice to stay in basements before evacuation. He noted that foreign students from other countries are also returning. During the fighting, universities temporarily suspended classes. The situation is not as frightening as the news suggests; clashes occur only in certain areas, mainly targeting government buildings.
When asked about how long the conflict might last, the Thai student said that maintaining sovereignty is paramount. Iranians are defending their sovereignty, but it is hard to predict how long the fighting will continue. Currently, they are battling invaders and those violating sovereignty.