BANGKOK, 21 July 2014 (NNT) - The National Council for Peace and Order has released a statement expressing its condolences to the countries impacted by the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash in Ukraine.

The NCPO head General Prayuth Chan-Ocha said in the statement that he is greatly saddened by the loss of 298 lives on board the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 that crashed in the east of Ukraine on July 17th. On behalf of the Thai government, he extended his condolences to world leaders who suffered the loss of their people and to the families of the many victims.

He said Thailand stands in solidarity with the peoples and governments of the crash victims at this difficult time. Thailand also demands an independent and transparent investigation into the incident and is ready to provide assistance to the international community.

The passenger list released by Malaysia Airlines shows the plane was carrying 193 Dutch nationals, 43 Malaysians, 27 Australians, 12 Indonesians and 10 Britons, four Germans, four Belgians, three from the Philippines, and one each from Canada and New Zealand. Memorial services and vigils have been held in many countries, including Australia, Malaysia and the Netherlands.