Thai / English

Last group of workers from Libya to return soon

Of the 12,975 Thais registered to work in Libya, 7,975 have already returned home and all of the remaining 5,000 are expected to arrive within a week.

11 Mar 11
The Nation

Chawanont Intharakomalsut, secretary to the foreign minister, said yesterday that the actual number of workers was much less than the 23,600 reported in the news. Only 201 Thai workers were still stranded in Libya, while 1,488 have fled to Tunisia and 2,339 to Egypt, Malta and Greece.

In a ceremony to distribute the Bt15,000 cheques yesterday, 14 showed up from the first group of 16 returnees - all residents of the Korat area in Nakhon Ratchasima. The provincial labour office said 655 members of a government labour fund had applied for the Bt15,000, and verification of their documents was underway.

Office chief Saengngern Khaolikhit said most of them wanted to seek jobs in Thailand rather than go overseas.