Tears of Joy as Thai Hostages Return Home
The families of five Thai farm workers held hostage in Gaza for over a year were overwhelmed with joy and relief as their loved ones arrived safely in Bangkok on Sunday.
The freed hostages—Watchara Sriaoun, Pongsak Tanna, Sathian Suwannakham, Surasak Lamnau, and Bannawat Saethao—landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 7:30 AM (0030 GMT) on January 30. They were greeted by their families and Thai government officials.
Pongsak, one of the returnees, expressed gratitude for the rescue effort, saying, “I thank everyone who helped us. We wouldn’t be here without them. We can finally return to our motherland.”
Bannawat’s father, Somboon Saethao, said his family would hold a traditional Thai ceremony to welcome him home. “I don’t want him to be far from home again,” he told reporters.
Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa assured that the Thai government would support the reintegration of the returnees, prioritizing their mental health and well-being.
According to Thailand’s Labour Ministry, each hostage will receive:
A one-time payment of $18,000 (600,000 baht)
A monthly salary of $900 until they turn 80 years old
This ensures they do not need to return to work in Israel.
During the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, 31 Thai nationals were abducted. By the end of 2023, 23 had been freed, while two were confirmed dead in May 2024. One Thai national remains captive in Gaza.
The release of the five hostages in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, was marked by chaotic scenes, as Hamas and Islamic Jihad fighters struggled to control the crowd.
Despite the risks, Thailand’s Labour Ministry announced plans to send 13,000 more workers to Israel to support its agriculture sector.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed relief and gratitude for the efforts of Israel, Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and the United States in securing the hostages’ release.
Since October 2023, 46 Thai workers have lost their lives, mostly during the initial Hamas attack and rocket strikes from Hezbollah in Lebanon.
AFP
