Five Thai nationals, held captive by Hamas for over a year, arrived back in Thailand on Sunday, greeted by their emotional families at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The returnees, wearing winter jackets, received heartfelt embraces from their relatives
Pongsak Thaenna, one of those who returned, shared his feelings during the reunion. “We are all deeply touched to come back to our birthplace… to be standing here. I don’t know what else to say; we are all truly thankful,” he said.
Israeli officials reported that in an October 2023 assault on the Israeli border, Hamas militants took at least 240 people hostage, including Israelis and other foreign nationals. This incident resulted in the death of 41 Thais and the abduction of 30 Thai workers. By the end of the year, some of these hostages had been released.
Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, who accompanied the returnees from Israel, voiced his relief over their safe return. “This is emotional… to come back to the embrace of their families,” he said. “We never gave up, and this was the fruit of that effort.”
Before the incident, about 30,000 Thai laborers were employed in Israel’s agricultural sector, representing one of the largest groups of foreign workers in the country. Following the attack, almost 9,000 were brought back to Thailand.
These workers are mostly from the northeastern part of Thailand, a region known for its rural villages and farming communities, which is one of the economically poorest areas.
The Thai foreign ministry confirmed that there is still one Thai national believed to be held by Hamas.
“We still have hope and continue to work to bring them back,” stated Mr. Maris, noting that efforts include repatriating the remains of two deceased Thai nationals.
