All Thais in storm-hit New York are safe:MFA

BANGKOK, October 31 (TNA) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that all Thai nationals in Sandy storm-hit New York are safe, as the situation is returning to normal. Damrong Kraikruan, Deputy Director-General of the ministry's Department of Information, told journalists in Bangkok on Wednesday that the Thai Consulate in New York were able to reach all Thai people in the US most populous city and found all of them were safe. For 11 stranded Thai tourists in New York, Damrong said once airports resume operations, the Thai Consulate will immediately send all of the stranded Thais back home; while three au pairs whose houses have been affected by the Sandy storm have been already provided with temporary shelters. According to the senior Thai official, updated reports indicated that downpours remained in some areas in New York, but several roads have been reopened, although tunnels and subway systems have remained closed pending floodwater being dried out over the next couple of days. The Thai Consulate assessed that the JFK International Airport, the closest airport to the New York city, should resume its operation by tonight (Thailand's time) or by morning hours of October 31 (New York's time). (TNA)