With regards to the recent 8.9 Richter earthquake which hit Japan on 11 March 2011 at 12.46 hrs (Thailand time), Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Director-General of the Department of Information and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, gave an interview to the media, gist as follows:
1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in the process of verifying the status of Thai nationals residing in affected areas. At present, there are around 50,000 Thais residing in Japan, of which around 300 live in Miyagi Prefecture, the area most severely affected by the earthquake and the resulting tsunami. Of those in Miyagi, most are married to Japanese nationals and students. At this point, the Ministry has not yet received information about any Thais affected or injured by the natural disaster.
2. In Tokyo, which was also affected by the earthquake, there are about 20,000-30,000 Thais residing there. The Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo is in the process of coordinating with Thais in both the Miyagi Prefecture and in Tokyo to verify whether they have been affected or if any assistance is required. The Ministry has also been informed that communications systems have been severely affected, particularly cellular phone systems.
3. The Royal Thai Government has now announced an initial contribution of Baht 5 million to assist relief efforts in Japan. Further in-kind assistance is being considered in close consultation with the Japanese authorities concerned. In addition, a Emergency Coordination Centre has been established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, comprised of officials of both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labour, to monitor the situation as well as coordinate assistance for Thai nationals in Japan. Those with relatives in Japan who cannot be contacted may call the Protection of Thai Nationals Abroad Division, Department of Consular Affairs, for further assistance at Tel. 02 575 1046-9 (during office hours) and at 02-643-5000 (outside office hours).
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th