Thailand affirms Middle East evacuation readiness on October 30
Thai embassies will relay host governments’ food stockpiling alerts as Thailand prepares to protect its citizens in the Middle East.
- On October 30, Thailand's Foreign Minister confirmed that contingency and evacuation plans are ready for Thai citizens in the Middle East due to concerns of escalating conflict.
- The plans were prepared in collaboration with the Thai military, which is ready to act if evacuations become necessary.
- The readiness was announced in response to reports of a potential US military operation against Iran, prompting close monitoring of the situation.
- Thai embassies in the region have been instructed to track developments and will relay official advice from host governments, including any food stockpiling alerts, to Thai nationals.
Thailand has contingency and evacuation plans ready for its citizens in the Middle East if fighting escalates, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said on October 30, 2026. His remarks followed foreign media reports that the United States might launch another military operation against Iran.
Asked whether intelligence pointed to an impending escalation, Sihasak responded that officials were tracking developments and needed to follow emerging reports closely.
Thai evacuation plans prepared with the military
Sihasak outlined two strands of Thailand’s response: monitoring military developments in the Middle East and protecting Thai nationals in the region. The Foreign Ministry and armed forces have prepared contingency and evacuation arrangements, with the military ready to act if people need to move to safety, he explained.
Thai embassies in the Middle East have been instructed to track the situation closely because large numbers of Thai workers and other Thai nationals live in the region, according to Sihasak.
Sihasak stressed that Thailand was prepared for all scenarios and had previously worked with the military to evacuate or relocate citizens during earlier fighting.
Thai embassies to relay host governments’ food alerts
Thai nationals living in countries that have advised residents to stockpile food should follow those governments’ alerts, Sihasak advised. Thai embassies will await official announcements from host governments before passing the guidance to Thai nationals so they can prepare in line with local measures.
Asked about reports that people in 17 countries had been advised to stockpile food, Sihasak suggested governments were concerned that fighting in the Middle East could widen. Such warnings would help residents prepare for a possible escalation, he explained.
