Thailand conveys condolences to Australia over seized cafe tragedy

BANGKOK, December 18 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has sent a letter to his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott, conveying condolences, on behalf of the Thai government and people, over a tragedy at a seized cafe in Sydney earlier this week, which killed three people and injured at least four others. According to a statement, issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of Information on Wednesday, the Thai prime minister said in the message that he was saddened by reports on the bloody incident in Sydney of the Australian New South Wales State and would like to convey his profound condolences, on behalf of the Thai government and people, to the families of the victims. The Thai leader also expressed his sincere support for the victims' families during a hard time they are facing. A gunman, identified as an Iranian refugee, stormed Lindt Chocolat Cafe, located in Martin Place, a busy shopping area in Sydney's financial district, in the early morning of December 15, taking 17 people as hostages. Government commandos later decided to raid the cafe to end the 16-hour siege, causing the three fatalities, including the manager of the cafe, a female lawyer and the Iranian gunman, and at least four injuries, including a police officer. Flags have been lower at half-mast across the New South Wales State to mourn the innocent victims. (TNA)