The first group of 82 Thai nationals, who have fled the ongoing turmoil in Sudan, arrived at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia yesterday morning. They are awaiting repatriation to Thailand by the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) today, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The RTAF dispatched three plane – two C-130s and an Airbus A340-500 – from the Bor Nor 6 navy airport adjoining to Don Mueang on Tuesday night time as a part of the mission to repatriate Thais from Saudi Arabia after that they had escaped the violent and escalating disaster in Sudan.
The plane have been on their approach to Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport, which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had designated as the assembly level for Thai citizens in Sudan trying to return to Thailand.
Recognized of eighty two Thai nationals reached the airport at 9am, having travelled via a ship from Port Sudan offered by the Saudi Arabian authorities, Kanchana Patarachoke, director-general of the Department of Information on the Ministry, reported.
The ship was also transporting practically 1,seven-hundred international travellers of varied nationalities, all seeking to return to their home international locations.
The Airbus dispatched from Thailand arrived at Jeddah airport at 9.30pm yesterday to collect the Thai residents, while the remaining two planes were nonetheless en route. Following screening, it emerged that solely 78 of the group would continue to Thailand today, as 4 individuals opted to stay in Saudi Arabia due to having family there.
Another 133 Thais, along with one overseas household – consisting of a Thai woman, her American spouse, and their child – have registered for evacuation with Saudi authorities and are presently ready to board the Saudi ship from Port Sudan.
Additionally, a bunch of 5 Thai college students hoping to return to their residence nation and at present residing outside the city of Khartoum in Sudan, are additionally making their approach to the port, as noted by Kanchana yesterday.
Air Chief Marshal Alongkorn Vannarot, the commander-in-chief of the air drive, mentioned that the arrival of the Thai evacuees at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok may be delayed from the unique schedule as a outcome of complexity of the mission.
The evacuees were initially anticipated to return to Bangkok yesterday evening, however, the brand new expected arrival time at Don Mueang Airport has been amended to round 10pm today; this schedule may change.
Around 800 people were ready to embark on the Saudi ship at Port Sudan, according to reviews. Air Chief Marshal Alongkorn acknowledged that the air pressure may must implement a threat management plan, as it stays unsure whether or not everybody will manage to leave the port because of the large variety of different nationalities attempting to depart..