REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANGKOK -- The Philippines and Thailand have agreed to cooperate in evacuating their citizens staying in Libya, as more Thai workers are expected to return home next week, said Sihasak Puangketkeow, Permanent Secretary for Thai Foreign Affairs.

Mr Sihasak, the acting Foreign Affairs Minister, said he had discussed with the Philippine ambassador to Thailand on joint evacuation of workers of the two countries in Libya as there are now many Filipinos working in that country.

He said contact had been made with recruitment agencies, as three groups of Thai workers were scheduled to return home next week.

A total of 83 Thai workers are expected to leave Libya for Tunis, the capital of Tunisia, on Sunday while a second group comprising 10 workers will leave for Cairo, the capital of Egypt, next Monday and another group of 18 people will also leave for Cairo next Friday.

Requests have been made with the deputy foreign minister of Tunisia for a visa exemption for Thais transiting in Tunisia, said Mr Sihasak.

Meanwhile, eight Thai students arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport this afternoon after being evacuated from Libya with assistance from the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

As Thais are gradually evacuated from Libya over safety concerns, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, leader of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) who is also army chief, gave orders to security agencies, including the Defence Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to provide assistance to Thais wishing to return home, said a spokesman of NCPO.

Gen Prayuth is monitoring the situation in Libya closely, the spokesman said.

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