See also: Iran warns of ’stronger response’ if Israel retaliates to attack
The closures of airspace over Iraq, Israel, and Jordan, triggered by escalating military actions in the region, led to the diversion of the flights, reports state news agency NNT.
El Al Israel Airlines flight LY82 from Suvarnabhumi to Tel Aviv and flight LY88 from Phuket to Tel Aviv, carrying 275 and 290 passengers, landed back in Bangkok at 5:20am and 5:50am, respectively.
Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, the airport’s immigration police commander, said under normal circumstances, passengers would be required to remain within the airport premises due to their passports already being stamped for departure.
However, in light of the circumstances and considering the needs of the elderly and small children, the Immigration Bureau has decided to allow these individuals to stay at nearby accommodations arranged and supervised by the airlines.
Passengers have also been given the option to remain at the airport if they prefer to keep their passports and avoid the hassle of undergoing the immigration process again once new flights are scheduled.
THAI AIRWAYS DIVERTS
Thai Airways International (THAI) has directed its Europe-bound flights to make detours around the Middle East after Iran’s attacks on Israel, while the Foreign Ministry has found no immediate impact on Thais in Iran and Israel, reports the Bangkok Post.
THAI president Chai Eamsiri said on Sunday (Apr 14) the airline made slight route changes on some flights to avoid the airspace of the Middle East but overall service had not been affected.
THAI chief commercial officer Korakot Chatasingha said travellers who had booked flights through the Middle East had not cancelled their trips, and the airline was monitoring the situation closely.
"Europe-bound flights normally pass through the airspace of the Middle East. Now Thai Airways International uses backup routes outside the Iranian skies and thus there is no impact on service," Mr Korakot said.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Affairs Ministry warned Thais not to travel to Iran and Israel, quoting the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv as reporting that many drones and missiles were launched from various directions against Israel, and that Israel was defending itself from the attacks.
According to the ministry, Israel announced a nationwide limit on gatherings from 11pm on Saturday to 11pm on Monday.
There are about 28,000 Thais in Israel and another 300 in Iran. The Thai embassies in Tel Aviv and Tehran are contacting Thai communities in the countries and there have yet to reports of any Thais affected by the Iran-Israel conflict, the Foreign Ministry said.
Thai gold trader Hua Seng Heng suspended trading via its applications on Sunday, citing sharp gold price fluctuations in global markets due to the tensions. It said it would resume its app-based gold trading on Monday.