A team of 42 Thai rescuers returned to the kingdom yesterday after completing their mission in Turkey.
The Urban Search and Rescue team, or Usar Thailand, flew to Turkey on Feb 9 to help in a rescue mission after the devastating earthquake in Turkey.
While there, the team provided aid to locals and helped recover 34 bodies.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hosted a welcome home ceremony at Suvarnabhumi International Airport yesterday at 10.30am.
"On behalf of the Thais and the government, I'd like to welcome the 42 members of the Usar Thailand team after joining the rescue operation on Feb 9," he said.
"I also thank everyone who took part in the operation to rescue survivors in Turkey," he said.
"This is also the first time that Thailand has worked with other countries in a search and rescue mission, which raises the country's reputation in terms of humanitarian assistance and strengthens ties with Turkey."
He also praised the 42 members and their two search-and-rescue dogs as "heroes" and gave them medals.
Since a series of quakes hit Turkey and Syria earlier this month, more than 46,000 people in both countries have been killed.