The announcement came fater Hamas representatives promised Thai negotiators that Thai hostages captured in Israel will be released when Israel ends its offensive in the Gaza Strip where they are being held.
Speaking after a phone call with the Israeli leader yesterday (Nov 1), Mr Srettha said he asked Mr Netanyahu to help arrange the repatriation of more Thai workers should the need arise.
He said Israel cannot confirm when the hostages will be released but negotiations are ongoing, reports the Bangkok Post.
Mr Srettha said he asked Mr Netanyahu to take care of Thai workers in Israel because they are not involved in the conflict and have contributed to the country’s development.
Mr Netanyahu promised to help any Thai workers who wish to return home after the situation returns to normal.
“He told me he would inform us if there is any progress in the hostage situation. I told him we welcome any help and conditions in exchange for their safe and quick release,” Mr Srettha said.
Asked if the issue of delayed wages was raised, Mr Srettha said that had already been discussed with the Israeli ambassador, who had promised to look into the matter.
“If there is any progress, he’ll phone me. And if there are any demands involved, he will also inform us,” Mr Srettha said.
Early in the day, Mr Srettha insisted the evacuations of Thai nationals from Israel would continue even though the government has no plan to arrange a chartered flight due to the low numbers.
He made the remarks after the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv advised all Thais who wish to be evacuated to show up at the Intercontinental Tel Aviv by 5pm yesterday to board a flight home.
Mr Srettha said those who made their own arrangements to fly back to Thailand could apply to have the cost of their air ticket reimbursed by the government. He urged Thai citizens to return while the situation remains relatively manageable.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara is in the Middle East to seek assistance for the release of Thai hostages, he said.
Mr Srettha said the negotiations were showing positive signs but the minister had urged patience. The prime minister said he hoped the negotiation team sent by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha would see fruitful results.
Mr Parnpree on Tuesday met his Iranian counterpart, Dr Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in Qatar. Both expressed concern over the violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip, as well as the impact on civilians.
Thailand asked Qatar and Iran to help negotiate the release of the Thai hostages and both countries expressed their full support.
Qatar said Thais were likely to be among the first foreigners released once the fighting subsides.
Air force chief ACM Phanpakdee Pattanakul said the air force has conducted five evacuation flights, bringing home more than 1,000 Thais.
Over 8,000 Thais have now returned home but more than 70% want to return to Israel later, according to the labour minister.
Labour permanent secretary Pairote Chotikasathien said there are about 20,000 Thai workers still in Israel and a chartered flight would be arranged if enough ask to be repatriated.
The bodies of 11 more Thais killed in the conflict were sent back to Suvarnabhumi airport yesterday. Another six will be flown back next week pending identification.
Thirty-two Thai workers have been reported killed, with 22 taken hostage and 19 injured.
Hamas to free Thais ‘at end of Gaza fight’
Meanwhile, Saiyid Sulaiman Husaini, leader of an association of Shia Muslims in Thailand, said on Tuesday the commitment was made at talks between negotiators appointed by Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha and Hamas representatives at the office of an adviser to the president of Iran.
The negotiation team comprised Areepen Utarasin, Lerpong Sayed and Sayyid Mumin Sakkitticha.
Two to three rounds of talks were carried out, marking the completion of the negotiations for the release of the Thai hostages, said Mr Saiyid.
Mr Areepen, an adviser to the parliament president, later confirmed the talks, which he said were held in Tehran last Thursday (Oct 26).
According to Mr Saiyid, Hamas agreed to free Thai hostages being held in the Gaza Strip when Israel halts its offensive or agrees to a ceasefire. Until then, it is not safe for them to leave Gaza, he said.
Hamas confirmed that it is holding 19 Thai hostages, he said. All are safe and in good health.
He said Hamas has yet to confirm the names of three other Thais who the Foreign Ministry reported were also taken captive.
According to Mr Saiyid, the only possible evacuation channel was the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, in the far south of the Gaza Strip. The Thai government might have to seek approval and assistance from Egypt for this, he said.
Mr Areepen, speaking in parliament yesterday, confirmed his group met Hamas representatives last Thursday.
He said the Hamas representatives said the Thai hostages were being well protected so they could later tell the international community about their living conditions and fair treatment with Hamas.
Hamas promised to release the Thais soon, but would not say when, he said.
According to the Hamas representatives, announcing a schedule could trigger an attack, which could cause a misunderstanding that Hamas hurt the hostages, Mr Areepen said.
He said his delegation held negotiations in Tehran because Iran was a supporter of Hamas and had influence over it. He said his delegation was the first to have official talks with the group since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct 7.
The parliament president’s coordination team now remains in Iran waiting to further coordinate the expected release of the Thai hostages, while Mr Wan also intends to travel to Iran to meet the hostages if they are released as promised, said Mr Areepen.
Muk Suleiman, Mr Wan’s secretary, urged Thai people to accept Hamas will honour its promise.