The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is evacuating 2,000 Thai people in Egypt with the first group of 560 people scheduled to arrive in Suvarnabhumi Airport this 19 August due to increasing violence. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported on Sunday that the situation in Egypt is still violent with heavy clashes between authorities and protesters…Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Manaswee Srisodapol said the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo had been contacted by about 900 Thai people who wanted to return to Thailand. The embassy would arrange charter flights to take them from Cairo to Dubai where they would change planes to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand, he said…

As the situation in Egypt continues to deteriorate many nations around the world are urging their Citizens to exercise caution if traveling to Egypt and in some cases such nations are making efforts to assist their citizens in departing from the country. The above cited report comes after a recent press release posted on the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs website citing the concerns of the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand and Foreign Minister Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul:

1. Thailand is increasingly concerned by the deteriorating situation in Egypt, with violence resulting in heavy loss of lives and injuries, especially among innocent people.
2. As a country that is committed to upholding democratic principles and non-use of force, Thailand joins a large number of countries in condemning the excessive use of force which could only lead to further violence and undermine efforts to return to the democratic process and achieve an inclusive national reconciliation in the interest of all Egyptian people, which we believe, at this point in time, should be the most urgent priority.
3. We call on all parties to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from further violence. We also call on the interim Government of Egypt to ensure the safety and security of foreign nationals residing in Egypt.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for administering the various Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates around the world. It would appear from the reports noted above that officials in the Kingdom of Thailand are going to great lengths to ensure that Thais in Egypt are given an opportunity to return to Thailand should they so desire. Those around the world can only hope that this situation will be brought to a peaceful solution as quickly as possible.