Authorities ensure readiness to evacuate Thais from SKorea in case of war

BANGKOK, April 4 (TNA) - Army Chief General Prayuth Chan O-cha has affirmed the Thai military's readiness to take care of Thai people in South Korea in case that a war erupted in the Korean Peninsula, calling on people not to panic. General Prayuth told journalists on Thursday that he believes the Thai government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has already prepared measures to timely assist Thai nationals in South Korea in case of any emergency. The army chief acknowledged if a war erupted in the Korean Peninsula, the whole world would evenly be affected although Thailand should be among the last places to be impacted. The Thai army commander-in-chief suggested everyone not to panic, as the situation in the Korean Peninsula has been closely monitored by all concerned parties. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul confirmed that the Thai government has been on standby to immediately evacuate or provide assistance to Thai nationals within 24 hours in case of a war. According to official statistics released by the Ministry of Labour, Surapong said, there are about 40,000 Thais in South Korea, who, he believes, will be timely evacuated, as Thai authorities concerned have experienced in evacuating Thai nationals from violence-plagued Arabian countries. The Thai deputy premier noted that several parties in the local public and private sectors assessed, however, that there would not be any war in the Korean Peninsula, as Pyongyang’s recent movements appeared to be only its reaction against UN sanctions imposed on the communist regime. (TNA)