Thai students leave violence-plagued Syria

BANGKOK, July 25 (TNA) - Seventeen Thai students are scheduled to leave Syria by Wednesday tonight, as domestic violence in the Middle East country has escalated. Regarding the welfare of some 50 Thai nationals living in Syria, Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman Thani Thongphakdi told reporters Wednesday that his ministry has worked closely with the Thai Consul General in Damascus to arrange air tickets for 17 Thai students, who will fly home until they can safely return to Syria. Thani, who is also director-general of the ministry's Department of Information, said that the remaining Thai nationals in Syria, including women married with Syrians, have opted to stay with their new families, but the Thai Consul General in Damascus are prepared to provide them with around-the-clock assistance in case of any emergency. (TNA)