Five Thai nationals who were held captive by Hamas for more than a year have returned to Thailand and reunited with their families at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport. The returning individuals, clad in winter attire, were warmly welcomed by their emotional families.
Expressing gratitude, one of the returnees, Pongsak Thaenna, stated, “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.” The individuals, Sarusak Rumnao, Watchara Sriaoun, Sathian Suwannakham, Pongsak Thaenna, and Bannawat Saethao, were released as part of an exchange agreement last Thursday.
Prior to their return, all five men underwent medical assessments at a hospital outside Tel Aviv. The Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed that the Israeli government sponsored their journey. Israeli authorities reported that during an attack in southern Israel in October 2023, Hamas militants abducted at least 240 individuals, including Israelis and foreigners. Tragically, 41 Thais were killed, and 30 Thai laborers were kidnapped during the incident. The first group of Thai hostages was subsequently released later that year.
Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, who accompanied the hostages back from Israel, expressed relief at their safe return. He emphasized the emotional significance of reuniting with their families and highlighted the continuous efforts to bring back one Thai national still held captive by Hamas, along with the remains of two other Thai individuals.
Before the conflict, around 30,000 Thai citizens were employed in Israel’s agriculture sector, making them one of the largest groups of migrant workers in the country. Nearly 9,000 Thais were repatriated following the attack, with most workers hailing from Thailand’s northeastern region, known for its impoverished villages and farming communities.
The Thai foreign ministry confirmed that Nattapong Pingsa, a Thai national, is still believed to be in captivity. Minister Maris reiterated their commitment to securing the return of the remaining captive and retrieving the bodies of the deceased Thai nationals.