Overseas Thais warned to contact embassy before flying home
Thais stranded overseas should contact their local Thai Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible if they plan to return home, the government’s Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) said on Monday (April 6).
CCSA spokesman Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin made the announcement at Government House, adding that the latest repatriation flight, carrying 111 Thai pilgrims back from Indonesia, was due to arrive at Hat Yai Airport today.
The government has ordered mandatory 14-day state quarantine for all returnees.
“Songkhla Provincial Public Health Office and related authorities are ready to take returnees to quarantine areas in line with measures to contain the Covid-19 virus,” he said.
He urged people who wanted to return to the country to contact their Thai Embassy or Consulate because the government needed to know the number of returnees and their date of arrival.
The announcement comes after 152 returnees were threatened with arrest because they refused to go into quarantine after arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport on April 3.
“Parents of children overseas can contact the emergency operations centre at Suvarnabhumi Airport for assistance,” he said.
He confirmed that the government will take care of all returnees, but warned them to prepare for medical screening and quarantine on arrival.
“The CCSA has agreed to accommodate 200 returnees per day, so those who wish to return must show themselves to Royal Thai Embassies and Consulates as soon as possible,” he added.