On August 7, 2019, Labour Minister M.R. Chatumongol Sonakul along with Mr. Chatri Archjananun, Director-General of the Department of Consular, Ministry of Foreign affairs, reported the progress of helping Thai workers in Somalia; at present, all Thai workers are safe. Most recently 42 people were found in 2 boats. In the first boat, called Wadani 1, there were 22 people on board, whereby 4 returned to Thailand on August 1, citizens of Surin province. For the remaining 18 people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already finalized the return ticket and all will board at Jimti, which has 2 flights weekly and will take a connecting flight in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, to return to Thailand. A total of 14 people will travel today (August 7, 2019) and the other 4 people will return on Sunday 11, August. The crew that is in the process of returning all 18 people include 6 people from Surin, 8 people from Buriram 8, 2 people from Phetchabun, 1 person from Samut Sakhon and 1 person from Chaiyaphum; 5 people are members of the Department of Employment’s fund to help people find work abroad.
The second boat, called Wadani 2, had 20 people on board, 7 of which are members of the fund. They are in the process of refueling in Oman and will continue to Tehran in Iran, before returning to Thailand.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General of Department of Consular, Mr. Chatri Archjananun, said that confidence could be placed with the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in working together to help all Thais who were cast away in Somalia to be returned safely to Thailand, although it may take time due to differences in the area and weather conditions From recent contact, all crew members are safe and have received food. Their mobile phones have also been topped up for communication. Both agencies will continue working closely with each other to provide timely and convenient assistance to the crew for everyone to return safely to Thailand.
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Division of Public Relations/
News by Chaninthorn Phettab/
Photos by Kantipon Kusmit/
7 August 2019
