Thailand will pull its non-combat troops out of Iraq if they are attacked, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Tuesday.

"We are giving priority to the safety of the soldiers. Once our soldiers are attacked, or being harmed, we will take them back. Weare there to help. But if our soldiers are getting killed why should we continue to stay?" the leader was quoted by the Thai News Agency as saying.

However, the Prime Minister pointed out that the security situation there had not yet deteriorated to a level that Thailand had to rush to pull back its soldiers.

Prime Minister Thaksin commented on the issue following a motion filed in the Senate, urging the government to withdraw its troops from Iraq.

Four hundred and forty-three Thai troops were sent to Iraq lastyear for humanitarian work in the southern city of Karbala, 100 kmsouth of Baghdad.

Meanwhile, Democrat and opposition leader Banyat Bantadtan criticized the government for its indecisive action.

"I want to know when the great loss occurs how the government will explain to the public since it has never heeded to the opposition's demand to withdraw troops from Iraq."

Banyat also warned that the violence in Iraq was worsening and there were mounting fears that Thai soldiers might be ambushed or kidnapped as it has already happened to the citizen of other countries.

"I am afraid that the feared incident may hurt the feelings of Thai people," he said.

Two Thai soldiers were killed in December, when an explosives-packed car rammed into the wall of their camp in the southern cityof Karbala.

Source: Xinhua