Another batch of evacuees brought back from Egypt

The evacuees arrived in two commercial flights early yesterday – the first landing at 3.28am with 119 Thai citizens and the second at 4.28am with 130. The evacuees were all welcomed warmly by their waiting relatives.
So far, up to 614 Thais – mostly Muslim students taking religious courses in Egypt – have returned home, Nuttavudh Photisaro, the Foreign Ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, said.
He said the Thai Embassy in Cairo was finding out how many of the 300 or so still in Egypt would like to return immediately, while those willing to stay on will later be provided with air tickets but no chartered flights will be arranged for them.
The authorities also provided 10 buses to transport the 614 evacuees to bus stations or train stations, should they choose to return to their home provinces. Meanwhile, those who wish to remain in Bangkok would be provided with free accommodation if they want, Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt said.
In a Facebook announcement, the Thai Embassy is calling on all Thais living in Egypt to remain alert as supporters of deposed president Mohamed Morsi are preparing to launch a mass rally, which has the possibility of turning violent. Thais have been warned against going near the rally sites and are being urged to stay at home and follow the situation closely.
Tana-eem Phonglateh said he wanted to return to Cairo and resume his Islamic studies once the situation turns normal.
Sakuna Kongpeng said she had contacted her brother in Cairo through the social media and was relieved to hear he was at Dubai waiting to board a flight back home. The unnamed man has two years left to complete his master’s degree in religious studies.
Santisuk Soimalee, 24, who burst into tears of joy as soon as she saw her father at the airport, said her home in Cairo had been broken into by intruders and that she had heard of people on public buses being assaulted by angry mobs.
 Armanee Senanont, who just turned 16, was welcomed at the airport by her mother and sister. She said she spoke to her family at least ten times a day after the violence broke out and was glad she took the first flight out as violence was spreading to other parts of the country, including the city she lived in.
Rusana and Rawaida Dohloh, who are sisters, said they witnessed protestors being shot by soldiers and several lecturers at their university had also been killed in the violence.