A Thai mother has made a heartfelt plea for the release of her son, who is currently being held in Gaza. Wiwwaeo Sriaoun expressed renewed hope following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which is set to facilitate the gradual release of hostages. Her son, Watchara, was among a group of Thai workers abducted from farms in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Currently, six Thai nationals remain captive in Gaza.
On Sunday, the first phase of the long-anticipated ceasefire and hostage deal commenced with the release of three Israeli hostages. This initial phase is expected to last six weeks and will see an additional 30 Israeli hostages freed, although it does not include foreign captives. Wiwwaeo urged, “Please let my son come home safely,” expressing her relief at the release of the three Israelis and her hope for the safe return of all Thai hostages. “They deserve the chance to return home as well. I’m concerned for all the Thai hostages and fear they may not come back,” she added.
Wiwwaeo resides in rural Udon Thani, northeastern Thailand, with Watchara’s nine-year-old daughter, Irada. Together, they have been following the news of the hostages’ release, and Irada, along with her classmates, felt joy at the positive developments. “Now she is waiting for her father to come back,” Wiwwaeo shared.
The second phase of the ceasefire deal is expected to include the release of foreign hostages, contingent upon Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza. However, significant uncertainties remain regarding the execution of this phase, with negotiations set to begin in two weeks.
Watchara moved to Israel over three years ago at the age of 31, accompanied by his younger brother. Their goal was to save money to alleviate their parents’ financial burdens. The monthly wages in Israel, ranging from 40,000 to 60,000 baht (approximately £920-£1,380), were significantly higher than what they could earn on their family’s rubber plantation in Thailand.
Israel has been a favored destination for Thai migrant workers, with around 30,000 Thais employed there prior to the conflict, primarily in the agricultural sector. The Israeli government has reported that this group constitutes the largest number of foreign individuals who are either deceased or missing since the attacks on October 7.
According to the Thai government, 46 Thai nationals have lost their lives in Israel or Gaza, while six remain in Hamas’s custody. Additionally, 23 Thais who were previously taken hostage were released in 2023 due to diplomatic efforts involving Malaysia, which has connections to Hamas, as well as Qatar, Israel, Egypt, Iran, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
In a statement on Monday, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed support for the ceasefire and hostage agreement, calling for the “immediate release of all remaining hostages, including Thai nationals.” Wiwwaeo continues to pray daily for her son’s safe return, voicing her concerns about the conditions he and the other hostages are enduring. “I worry about how they are living over there. I want to hear about their situation,” she said.
