Today (16 March 2011) at 9.00 hrs, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, accepted donations for victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan from Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) and Prantalay Marketing. Afterwards, he gave an interview regarding Thai assistance to Japan, details as follows:
1. On concerns regarding the spread of radiation in Japan, the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo has reported that the situation remains under control. The Japanese authorities are in the process of preparing for any eventuality while the United States has also sent experts to assist the Japanese side. Even though the Foreign Ministry has not announced an evacuation at this stage, the Ministry and the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo have already coordinated with Thai Airways International and the Royal Thai Air Force to assist Thai nationals who wish to return to Thailand. So far, around 40 - 50 Thai nationals have expressed their wish to return. In addition, the H.T.M.S. Similan ship is scheduled to depart to Japan soon, and could be another channel in bringing Thai nationals back to Thailand.
2. Following the Cabinet’s approval of Bt 200 million to be used to assist Japan, Thailand will use part of the funds to purchase emergency supplies such as clothing and ready-to-eat food. Relevant Thai agencies have also coordinated with the Thai Chamber of Commerce to request cooperation from various companies and factories in donating and preparing to provide employment opportunities once Thai workers return home from Japan. In addition, the Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteers Foundation has also donated survival kits and bedding for victims of the disaster in Japan. In addition to the said emergency assistance, Thai authorities will provide other forms of assistance to Japan as needed. This may include rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance, particularly since Thailand possesses expertise in the construction industry as well as sanitary ware.
3. As telecommunication systems are still not fully functional in certain parts of Japan, the Foreign Ministry has asked the Royal Thai Embassy to coordinate with the Thai people’s network in Japan to collect and inform the Ministry of the names and addresses of Thai residents in Japan who can be contacted. In the meantime, the Royal Thai Embassy is also collecting information about Thais living in Japan from other relevant agencies such as the Office of Labour Affairs and the Office of the Civil Service Commission in Japan.
4. On this occasion, the Foreign Minister reiterated the commitment of the Thai people and Government to provide assistance to the people and Government of Japan as a token of Thailand’s appreciation for the leading role played by Japan in helping to promote Thailand’s development during the past decades, as well as for Japan being the largest foreign investor in Thailand. The Foreign Minister also invited Thais to contribute to relief efforts by donating to the fund to assist Japanese disaster victims to at Krungthai Bank, Samyod Branch, Account Number 002-0-271-46-8. The funds will be duly sent to the Japan Red Cross.
Meanwhile, Mr. Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced that he would travel to Japan the night of 16 March 2011 with blankets and a shipment of emergency supplies. On arrival in Japan, the supplies will be delivered to Pak Nam Temple in Tokyo for distribution to those affected by the disaster. Mr. Chavanond and the Thai delegation will travel onwards to Fukushima Prefecture to provide assistance to Thai nationals remaining in the area.
In addition, Mr. Chavanond said that following a meeting with the Prime Minister and relevant agencies, it was noted that the return of Thai nationals from Japans should not be a problem because the Government has coordinated with Thai Airways International to ensure sufficient seats on scheduled flights to Thailand. At present, seats on flight from Japan were still available, but the main difficulty continues to be travel to the airport. The Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo stands ready to assist in this matter as well as in advancing the airfare for those who are unable to do so by themselves. In addition, Thai nationals who wish to return to Thailand could do so via the Royal Thai Air Force’s C-130 aircraft which the Government will be sending to Japan to deliver survival kits from Friends in Need (of “Pa”) Volunteers Foundation.
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