Closely monitor escalating US-Iran conflict, Prayut tells state agencies
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Monday (January 6) ordered related state agencies to keep a close watch on the escalating conflict between the United States and Iran amid concern of a possible impact on the Thai economy.
Prayut is worried the conflict could affect Thailand’s energy sector.
Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana on Monday asked all the ministry’s agencies to keep a close watch on the tense situation.
He said that if need be, the government would launch a measure to cushion the impact. Therefore, the ministry’s agencies have to stay alert to the developing situation.
On Monday, Prayut ordered the Defence Ministry and Army to closely monitor and evaluate the situation between the US and Iran.
This follows a US drone strike that killed Maj-General Qasem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, as he travelled in a convoy near Baghdad airport on Friday.
Prayut, who is also Defence Minister, ordered responsible agencies to beef up security at potential attack targets. They must also be ready to evacuate Thais overseas if the situation deteriorated, he instructed.
Labour Minister MR Chatumongol Sonakul said on Monday that he ordered Thai minister-counsellors of labour in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to monitor developments both in Iran and Iraq.
