Thailand to give humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza

The ministry said in a statement that the Thai government has been following the situation in the Gaza Strip with grave concern. The attacks have claimed hundreds of innocent lives and left thousands injured.

The government is "deeply saddened" by the ongoing violence and extended "our heartfelt condolences to the people of Palestine and the bereaved families of the victims," according to the statement.

In response to the call by the UN and the international community for urgent humanitarian assistance, Thailand will provide an immediate financial contribution of US$28,000 (Bt980,000) to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to address the emergency needs of the people affected by the conflict in Gaza.

The donation also represented the goodwill of Thai people towards the Palestinians in time of need, the statement said.

Labour ministry earlier expressed concern for the well-being of some 2,600 Thai workers now employed in the Gaza Strip.

Deputy Permanent Secretary for Labour Pornchai Yooprayong said about 2,600 Thai workers are employed at 27 sites in the area.

The ministry's employment department has been instructed not to dispatch new batches of Thai workers to Gaza for safety reasons and to request employers to allow the workers to hide in safe places when they hear sirens, said Pornchai. So far all Thai workers there are safe, he said.