Five Thai farm workers held hostage in Gaza for over a year were joyfully reunited with their families at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday.
Tears of relief flowed as the group returned home, having been released on January 30 as part of a ceasefire deal to end the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The five workers; Watchara Sriaoun, Pongsak Tanna, Sathian Suwannakham, Surasak Lamnau, and Bannawat Saethao, arrived in Bangkok early Sunday morning and were greeted by emotional relatives and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking to reporters, Pongsak expressed his deep gratitude, saying, “I thank everyone who helped us make it out. We wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for them. We can finally return to our motherland.” He admitted he was at a “loss for words” upon seeing his family again.
Somboon Saethao, the father of Bannawat, couldn’t hide his joy. “I’m so happy,” he said, adding that his family would welcome Bannawat home with a traditional Thai ceremony. Reflecting on his son’s time abroad, Somboon shared, “I don’t think I want him to be far from home again.”
Bannawat had moved to Israel nine months before being abducted in search of better financial opportunities for his family.
Foreign minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, described the reunion as “very inspiring” and assured that officials would support the returnees’ reintegration, with a particular focus on their mental well-being. “We never gave up on these hostages,” he declared at a press briefing at the airport.
The workers are now on their way back to their hometowns.
A labour ministry official, Boonsong Tapchaiyut, announced that each of the freed hostages would receive a one-time payment of 600,000 baht (around $18,000), as well as a monthly salary of $900 until they reach the age of 80, to ensure they no longer need to seek work in Israel.
The ordeal began when Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the abduction of 31 Thai nationals.
By the end of 2023, 23 had been released, while two were confirmed dead in May. Only one Thai national is still believed to be alive in Gaza.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her happiness following the release.
“I’m elated they are out of captivity,” she said, offering thanks to Israel and the nations that facilitated the negotiations, including Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and the United States.
The release of the five hostages in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, was chaotic, with Islamic Jihad and Hamas fighters struggling to manage the crowd of onlookers.
According to Thailand’s foreign ministry, 46 Thai workers have been killed since October 2023, most during the initial Hamas attack, while others died from rockets fired by Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Despite the tragedy, Thailand’s labour ministry recently revealed plans to expand its workforce in Israel by 13,000 workers.
