Thais in Istanbul for World Heritage meet ‘all safe’

The ministry quoted the Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara as saying that the Turkish government had brought the situation under control and there were no Thai nationals injured during this drama. 

The ministry also reported that a number of Thais struck at Istanbul Airport included a Tel Aviv-based diplomat who had contacted the embassy and asked staff to take care of them until the situation calmed down. 

“No Thais were injured or killed in the incident,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee said yesterday.

Sek, director-general of the Department of Information, said the ministry concluded that there was no need to evacuate Thai nationals in Turkey, as the situation seemed to be easing, although there was still a curfew in place.

He said the Thai Embassy in Turkey was well prepared to help if it was asked. But so far, there had been no requests for special assistance, he added.

The Royal Thai Embassy in Ankara and the ministry urged all Thais in Turkey – there are 424 there including 198 students – to remain in their residences, avoid going to public places, and follow news developments closely. Those who want to contact the embassy can call an emergency number: +90 533 641 5698.

An informed source reported that the Thai delegation – led by Thai Ambassador to France Sihasak Phuangketkeow – joined the meeting originally slated for July 10-20. The Thai team was successful on July 14 in persuading the committee to not list the Dong Phaya Yen-Khao Yai Forest Complex as a World Heritage Site in Crisis. 

However, Thailand’s request to add Kaeng Krachan National Park to the list of World Heritage Sites was likely to be postponed due to the situation in Turkey, the source said.

Earlier, at 4am, Raweewan Phuridet, the secretary general of the Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning Office, who was among the delegates in Istanbul, said via her personal Line chat that all members of the Thai delegation were safe. 

In Thailand, Natural Resources and Environment permanent secretary Kasemsan Jinnawaso commented that he was confident the Turkish government could provide security to all participants at the Istanbul meeting and that the Thai delegation wouldn’t return to Thailand until the situation calmed down. 

A number of police were sent to bolster security at the Turkish Embassy in Bangkok yesterday. Metropolitan Police chief Pol Lt-General Sanit Mahathaworn went to the embassy in the afternoon to talk to embassy officials and police sent there. 

He assured them of extra security provided by police.