Thais defend pro-Iran stance

Some stay behind to show support for slain leader, writes Poramet Tangsathaporn

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Fifty-two Thai nationals evacuated from Iran arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday, with several saying the country remained largely safe despite the Middle East conflict.

The first batch of evacuees turned up at a press conference organised by Airports of Thailand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after their return to Thailand.

In the initial group, 52 Thai nationals left Iran and returned on two separate flights. The first group of 29 Thais arrived aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK68, landing at 3.20pm.

Several evacuees told reporters that daily life in many parts of Iran remained largely normal despite tensions and sporadic attacks.

Songkran Farohki, speaking on behalf of the group, said many Thais in Iran worked as housewives or massage therapists in Thai spas and often lived with their families.

She said some residents in Tehran had taken shelter underground during attacks before relocating temporarily with relatives in other provinces.

“If it is not Tehran, there will not be a lot of airstrikes. Most of the attacks happened in Tehran,” she said.

All Thai nationals known to the group were safe and continuing their daily lives.

Ms Songkran said this was the second evacuation she had experienced following a previous crisis between Iran and Israel.