Thailand ramps up Middle East evacuations as 1,116 citizens fly home amid rising regional tensions

Brickinfo News Agency – The Thai government has intensified its emergency response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, confirming that 1,116 Thai nationals have been successfully evacuated from the region as of March 16, 2026. During a high-level briefing at Government House, officials detailed a multi-front strategy involving diplomatic negotiations, scheduled evacuation flights from Iran, and rigorous domestic energy management to shield the Thai economy from the global impact of the Strait of Hormuz blockade and regional airstrikes.

The Department of Information and Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that the regional situation is expanding, characterized by mutual airstrikes and intercepted missile attacks in strategic locations across Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Mr. Panidone Pachimsawat, Acting Director-General of the Department of Information, highlighted the disruption of global trade, noting that “many oil tankers remain stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, which directly impacts oil prices and the global economy.” The Ministry continues to urge Thai nationals in high-risk zones, particularly in Lebanon and Iran, to register with local embassies and consider immediate departure.

Thailand has also taken a leadership role within ASEAN to address the crisis. Following a special ministerial meeting proposed by Thailand on March 13, the country advocated for the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement to stabilize energy prices in the short term. For long-term resilience, Thailand is pushing for an accelerated transition to renewable energy and the integration of the ASEAN Power Grid. These measures aim to strengthen regional economic stability against external shocks that threaten supply chains and commodity prices.

Regarding the specific evacuation of Thai citizens, significant progress was made following diplomatic discussions between Thailand’s Foreign Minister and his counterparts in Bahrain and the UAE. These talks facilitated the safe transit of 20 Thai crew members from the vessel “Mayuree Naree” through Oman. For those remaining in Iran, the government has scheduled two additional evacuation rounds on March 17 and March 25, 2026. Liaison officers have been deployed to the Turkish border immigration checkpoints to assist those returning by land, ensuring a streamlined process for citizens seeking safety.

On the domestic front, the Department of Energy Business addressed concerns regarding fuel availability. Despite a surge in demand that caused temporary closures at some service stations, officials confirmed that Thailand’s six refineries are operating at full capacity. Mr. Sarawut Kaewtathip, Director-General of the Department of Energy Business, stated that the country currently holds a sufficient oil supply for at least 101 days of consumption, including legal reserves and oil currently in transit from sources like Angola and the United States.

To prevent market exploitation, the Ministry of Energy is working alongside the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Commerce to monitor fuel stocks at 53 depots and over 1,500 service stations nationwide. Mr. Sarawut emphasized that “Thailand still has an adequate oil supply and asked the public to live their lives normally, as there is no need to hoard.” The government maintains a strict stance against fuel hoarding and continues to encourage the public to practice energy conservation as the regional conflict persists.