The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting this afternoon (Thursday) with representatives of the Army and the Air Force, as well as officials of the Thai Embassy in Cairo, to discuss evacuation plans for Thai citizens living in Sudan, following an escalation in fighting between government and rebel forces.

Spokesperson for the ministry, Kanchana Patarachoke, said today that they have expressed serious concern for the safety of about 300 Thais living in Sudan, including about 200 Thai Muslim students, studying at the International University of Africa and Khartoum, and 100 others who have been working there or are married to Sudanese men.

The Sudan Armed Forces have been engaged in fierce fighting with the rebel Rapid Support Forces in and around Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, and other cities, since April 15^th.

Kanchana said that the ministry has approved an initial special budget for the Thai Embassy in Cairo, which is close to Sudan, to arrange relief supplies to be sent Thais in Sudan. Embassy officials in Cairo are in close contact with head of the Thai community and students in Sudan, she said.

For relatives of Thais in Sudan, the Foreign Ministry has opened emergency phone lines:

• 09-6352-0513
• 09-6165-7120
• 09-6352-9015

They can also call the Thai Embassy in Cairo on +201019601243 or e-mail consular.cai@mfa.go.th.

According to the UN health agency, nearly 300 people have been killed in the past five days and thousands of people have fled Khartoum for safety.

About 70% of hospitals in Khartoum and neighbouring states are out of service due to the fighting, according to the Sudanese Doctor’s Union.