Thailand Making Necessary Preparations To Evacuate Thai Nationals In Sudan

By Linda Khoo Hui Li

BANGKOK, April 21 (Bernama) -- Thailand is making necessary preparations including collaborating with embassies and international organisations on a possible joint evacuation plan to evacuate Thai nationals in Sudan when the situation warrants.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Kanchana Patarachoke said at present, there are 250 Thai nationals living in Sudan, most of whom are Muslim students at the International  University of Africa and all are reportedly safe. 

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and concerned agencies have consulted and made necessary preparations to evacuate the Thai nationals.

“The Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo has been collaborating with other foreign diplomatic missions in Sudan and Egypt, including Embassies of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, among others, as well as international  organisations, on situation monitoring and a possible joint evacuation plan,” she said at a media briefing Friday.

Kanchana  said the Royal Thai Embassy in Cairo with accreditation to Sudan has continuously been collaborating with the Thai community, stressing the need to exercise extra caution.

“The Foreign Ministry has approved assistance in the form of relief supplies for Thai nationals through the Royal Thai Honourary Consulate in Khartoum,” she said. 

The situation in Sudan, especially in most locations in Khartoum, is getting worse all the time with the fighting between Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). 

Following the ongoing clashes in Khartoum and the surrounding areas, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Nathapol Khantahiran chaired a meeting with member  agencies of the Rapid Response Centre to monitor the situation and make preparations for the evacuation of affected Thai nationals.  

Foreigners in Sudan are unable to leave the country yet as Khartoum International Airport remains closed.

Media reported that Sudanese military officials announced on Thursday that 177 technical personnel of the Egyptian Air Force were evacuated to Egypt from Dongola Airport by four Egyptian military transport planes.

The  evacuation has raised hopes that more foreigners trapped in the fighting could be leaving soon.

-- BERNAMA