Bangkok: The Thai Foreign Ministry announced that all 455 Thais in Kumamoto, Japan, are safe after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake, but the earthquake has affected infrastructure including electricity, water, and transportation.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Jaithai Upakarnnitikaset, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revealed that following yesterday's magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, with its epicenter in Hikawa City, and tremors felt in Kagoshima, Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Miyazaki, Oita, and Yamaguchi prefectures, the Consulate-General in Fukuoka has informed her that widespread damage has occurred in these areas, affecting services and infrastructure such as public transportation, trains, and high-speed rail, which have ceased operations on several lines. Kumamoto Airport is also currently closed, as are power and water services in many areas.
There are approximately 455 Thai nationals residing in Kumamoto Prefecture. The Consulate-General has contacted the Thai community and confirmed that they are safe. However, they may be affected by temporary power, water, and gas outages for safety reasons. Some have also been evacuated to shelters as advised by local authorities. There are no reports of severe impact on Thai nationals in other prefectures who felt the tremors.
Thai citizens requiring assistance can contact the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Fukuoka at telephone number 090-2585-3027.