Over 20,000 Thai workers choose to stay in Israel amidst escalating conflict

Despite escalating conflict in Israel, over 20,000 Thai workers have opted to remain, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Ministry continues to commit itself to facilitating the return of those wishing to leave. Before the occurrence of the cross-border raids by Hamas forces on October 7, approximately 30,000 Thai citizens were working in Israel.

However, the number of Thai workers seeking to return home has significantly dwindled in recent days, which led to the closure of the coordination centre at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv. The last few workers who registered for repatriation landed in Thailand the previous day.

The majority of the 14 officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who were based at the centre, have now returned home. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and the permanent…