The bodies of four Thai workers who were tragically killed in a rocket attack on Metula, a northern Israeli city near the Lebanon border on October 31, 2024, have been returned to Thailand for religious ceremonies.
The Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv coordinated the repatriation aboard El Al Israel Airlines flight LY 081, which landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 2:05 PM on November 8, 2024.
At the airport, Samat Pattamasukon, the Ministry of Labor’s Inspector-General, led the official reception ceremony, where wreaths were laid to honor the memory of the deceased on behalf of the Minister and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor.
Orna Sagiv, the Israeli Ambassador to Thailand, also laid wreaths in tribute to the fallen workers.
The deceased, identified as Akkapol Wannasai, Prayad Pilasram, Thana Tichanteuk, and Kaweesak Papanang, will have their bodies transported to their respective hometowns in Nakhon Ratchasima, Udon Thani, and Buriram, where their families will conduct religious rites.
Boonsong Thapchayuth, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor, reported that the Social Security Office has approved pension benefits for two of the workers, with Kaweesak receiving 35,730.18 baht and Thana 41,480.87 baht. Unfortunately, the other two were not covered by social security.
The four had previously sought compensation through the Overseas Employment Protection Fund due to war-related situations and were also eligible for government relief programs.
Additionally, an Israeli insurance company has contributed to the funeral expenses, providing 79,000 baht with actual costs reimbursed up to 47,000 baht, and a widow’s allowance of approximately 57,000 baht for those who were married.
Efforts to secure further compensation, including monthly and annual payments, are ongoing and are being coordinated by the Thai Embassy in Israel with local authorities to ensure that the families receive full legal entitlements.
Samat urged Thai workers in Israel to remain in close contact with Israeli authorities and comply with evacuation orders, limiting their work to safe designated areas.
He advised workers planning to work abroad to register at labor checkpoints before departure to facilitate tracking of their status and access to government benefits, helping to prevent future incidents.
The Ministry of Labor reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Thai workers overseas continuously.
