MFA:No Thais are affected by Saudi-Iran conflict

BANGKOK, January 5 (TNA) - There have been no reports that Thai citizens staying in Saudi Arabia and Iran have been affected by current tension between the two countries in the Middle East. Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai told journalists of the information on Tuesday morning, before attending the Cabinet's weekly meeting at Bangkok's Government House. Don stated that the Thai Embassy in Tehran, Iran's capital, has reported that no Thais have been affected by the ongoing conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia. On January 3, Saudi Arabia announced to severe diplomatic relations with Iran and gave Iranian diplomatic personnel 48 hours to leave the country, after an attack on the Saudi Embassy and Consulate in Iran following a recent execution of a prominent Iranian Shia cleric by Riyadh. Regarding a plan by Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, who oversees economic affairs, to pay an official visit to Iran later this month for talks on bilateral trade and investment, the Thai foreign minister said he personally believed the deputy prime minister could travel to Tehran and the planned visit would not affect relations between Saudi Arabia and Thailand. The Thai foreign minister expressed his hope that the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran would end soon. (TNA)