The Foreign Ministry says around 8,998 Thais overseas have lodged requests to return to Thailand after April 30, with more set to follow as the virus pandemic around the world worsens. The large flow of Thai migrants returning home will have to be regulated, said Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on Monday (April 20).

 
Thai citizens in 14 countries have registered to return, with the highest number of requests coming from the United States at 1,950, followed by Australia (786), New Zealand (600+), India (600+), Myanmar (600+), Cambodia (500+), Indonesia (500+), South Korea (400+), United Arab Emirates (335), Philippines (331), Saudi Arabia (290), Japan (280), Maldives (160), and Sri Lanka (40).

 
Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry reports that it still has space to accommodate more than 18,000 people at state quarantine facilities around the country. A total of 2,339 people are currently being housed at the 796 facilities nationwide.

About 9,000 Thais set to return next month