ADVERTISEMENT

Thai Air Force Devises Hong Kong Contingency Evacuation Plan

Thai Air Force Prepares Hong Kong Contingency Evacuation Plan

(Bloomberg) -- Thailand’s military has prepared a plan to evacuate citizens living in Hong Kong in case the security situation there deteriorates.

The nation’s air force is ready to deploy two planes, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules and an Airbus A340, if the Thai government orders an evacuation, according to military spokesman Pongsak Semachai.

Protests in Hong Kong against a bill allowing extraditions to China are in their 11th week, including chaotic scenes last night of police clashing with demonstrators at the territory’s airport. Fears are growing that China may either mobilize troops or take other action to quell the unrest.

Flag carrier Thai Airways International Pcl said Wednesday it’s flying bigger planes to bring back passengers who became stranded at Hong Kong International Airport because of flight cancellations caused by the demonstrations.

The airline could also fly to airports in Macau, Shenzhen and Guangzhou to collect Thai citizens in case Hong Kong airport can’t be used, government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said in a Twitter post.

To contact the reporter on this story: Siraphob Thanthong-Knight in Bangkok at rthanthongkn@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Sunil Jagtiani at sjagtiani@bloomberg.net, Ruth Pollard

©2019 Bloomberg L.P.