A group of Thai nationals who arrived home last night after escaping civil war in Sudan described their difficult journey out of the war-torn country that had them constantly on edge through sleepless nights as they passed through numerous checkpoints.
Speaking from Don Mueang Airport where they were welcomed by dignitaries, the president of the Thai Student Association in Sudan told reporters the fighting in Sudan was extremely intense, and it was challenging for them to travel without official permission. The student leader, named Yikasem, was among 78 Thai citizens who landed safely last night at the airport. Their flight was made possible by a 24-hour ceasefire.
The 40 women and 38 men transported by the Thai Air Force were greeted by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha and Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai.
The students said the initial clashes started with gunfire followed by explosions near their accommodations at the International University of Africa. Students had to endure 10 days of fighting while living on the campus.
Asked what was most difficult about their evacuation, the students said it was a boat journey across the Red Sea to Port Sudan. The boat was overcrowded with approximately 2,000 refugees, which forced them to sleep on the vessel’s deck.
Embassy officials came to pick them up and took them by bus. From there, they boarded a ship to Jeddah before finally boarding a plane back to Thailand. The whole process took nearly two days. They were extremely relieved to return home and eager to reunite with their families.
Hundreds have been killed and thousands forced to flee their homes in recent days as fighting has expanded between Sudan’s military and a heavily armed paramilitary force.
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