No more charter evacuation flights for Thais in Israel after today : govt spokesman
A picture shows rockets fired from the Gaza City (R) being intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome defence missile system (L) on October 10, 2023. Israel said it recaptured Gaza border areas from Hamas as the war’s death toll passed 3,000 on October 10, the fourth day of gruelling fighting since the Islamists launched a surprise attack.//AFP
The Thai government will not charter any more flights to bring Thais back from Israel after the last chartered evacuation flight today, unless there are enough passengers to fill an aircraft, Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said on Wednesday.
He said that Thais in Israel can, however, still make their own arrangements to fly back to Thailand and apply for a refund for the cost of the air ticket from the Labour Ministry.
The Thai embassy in Tel Aviv has told Thai nationals that they must report to a hotel in the Israeli capital today, if they wish to be on the last evacuation flight arranged by the Thai government.
Chai also said that the government has set aside 1.2 billion baht for returning Thais who need loans to repay their debt or to start a new business. On top of that, the Government Savings Bank and the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives have agreed to provide a combined 2 billion baht in long-term loans.
The low interest long-term loans, of up to 150,000 baht, will be extended to those who are in need of the money. The repayment period will be 20 years or by the time the borrower reaches 60.
