More than 40,000 tourists stranded here by flight disruptions in the Middle East have safely returned home.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said that since the war began on Feb 28, its offices in Europe have received multiple requests from tour companies seeking help to assist their tourists stranded in Thailand and other countries.

TAT contacted Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand’s (CAAT), explaining tour companies’ difficulties in sending charter flights to Thailand due to a ban on selling one‑way tickets to tourists.

Since March 3, CAAT granted temporary permission for chartered flights to operate empty aircraft to Thailand for evacuation.

However, TAT said it remains difficult to determine the actual number of tourists still stranded in Thailand, as some are individual travellers without agents and have not contacted hotels or authorities for help.