Bodies of 11 more Thai migrant workers who died in Israel flown home

The remains of the Thai labourers who tragically lost their lives in the Middle East conflict arrived by El Al Airlines at 12.40pm. The solemn ceremony at the airport was attended by Orna Sagiv, Israel’s ambassador to Thailand, and Pairoj Chotikasatian, the undersecretary of the Minister of Labour.

So, far three flights have brought 26 bodies of Thai workers from Israel. A total of 32 workers lost their lives.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour is in the process of preparing a proposal to be presented to the Cabinet next week, providing financial assistance of 50,000 baht to each of the returning Thai workers.

Pairoj said that the Ministry of Labour would collaborate with the Budget Bureau to establish the criteria and guidelines for distributing these funds. All Thai workers who have returned will be eligible for this assistance.

Furthermore, the government has allocated funds to grant low-interest loans at a 1% interest rate, with a maximum loan amount of 150,000 baht, which can be repaid over a period of up to 20 years. This initiative aims to offer support to the Thai workers in managing their debt upon their return to Thailand.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin clarified on the call issued by the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv that Thai nationals in Israel who wished to return to Thailand should assemble at the designated shelter by 5pm on Wednesday, which marks the final day for them to do so. Srettha emphasised that even though the embassy had made this announcement, the government would take the necessary steps to manage and facilitate appropriate flights for them if Thai citizens in Israel expressed their commitment to return home.