The first group of Thais to be evacuated from Libya left Tripoli for Tunisia on Thursday, but three students chose at the last minute not to leave, saying they wanted to continue their studies.
Sihasak Phuangketkeow, permanent secretary for foreign affairs, said on Thursday eight of 11 Thai students in Tripoli travelled together to Tunisia, with about 30 Thai workers and some staff from the Thai embassy in the Libyan capital. However, three Thai students decided to remain there for a while longer to continue their education.
The three students promised they would leave Tripoli soon, as Thai officials urged them to leave for their own their own safety, Mr Sihasak said.
Thai officials had planned evacuation by air, land and sea to suit the situation in Libya. Evacuees from Tripoli would travel by land to Djerba and those from Benghazi would move by sea.
Thai authorities were also discussing evacuation cooperation with South Korean and Philippine ambassadors in Thailand because a large number of workers from both countries were in Libya, Mr Sihasak said.
He confirmed that the Thai embassy in Tripoli would remain open to facilitate the evacuation of Thai citizens.
Thongchai Chasawath, director-general of the Department of Consular Affairs, said Thai evacuees would board planes to Dubai and catch Thai Airways International flights to Thailand.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly expected to finish the evacuation of all 1,500 Thai people from Libya in a month. All Thais in Libya were still safe on Thursday.