Initial reports say no Thai casualties in Paris ‘terror’ attacks

BANGKOK, Nov 14 (TNA) -- Preliminary reports sent by the Thai embassy in France said no Thai casualties were reported among those killed and wounded in Paris ‘terror’ attacks late Friday, said a deputy spokesman of the Thai Government House in Bangkok. French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) quoted French government authorities as saying that at least 120 people were killed and many others wounded when a number of attackers attacked several locations in the French capital. Witnesses said the attackers shouted “Allahu akbar” (“God is greatest”) and blamed France’s military intervention in Syria as they sprayed bullets into the crowd watching US rock band Eagles of Death Metal, according to AFP. AFP reported that three explosions occurred near the Stade de France national stadium where France were playing Germany in an international football match. French President Francois Hollande was watching the match and had to be evacuated immediately. After being informed of the incident, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha expressed his sorrow to relatives of the victims and ordered the Thai embassy in Paris to monitor the situation closely, especially on providing an utmost care to the Thais now staying in France, said the deputy spokesman. Simultaneously, a spokesman of the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry has requested Thais living in Paris to report themselves to the Thai embassy in Paris via website in order to confirm their safety. In order to ascertain that no Thai tourists or residents fell victim in the attacks, Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul had ordered the ministry officials to enquire foreign tourist firms in Thailand how many Thai tourists are now left in France. The order was made after President Hollande declared a state of emergency across France. (TNA)