The families of five Thai farm workers who were held hostage in Gaza for over a year celebrated with tears of joy and warm embraces as their loved ones arrived in Bangkok on Sunday. The group beamed with happiness as they entered the arrivals hall at Suvarnabhumi Airport after being released on January 30 as part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at resolving the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The five workers—Watchara Sriaoun, Pongsak Tanna, Sathian Suwannakham, Surasak Lamnau, and Bannawat Saethao—landed in Bangkok early Sunday morning, greeted by a small gathering of ecstatic relatives and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Pongsak expressed his overwhelming emotions, stating he was at a “loss for words” upon seeing his family. “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 shared.
Bannawat’s father, Somboon Saethao, expressed his immense happiness, revealing that the family would honor his son’s return with a traditional Thai ceremony. “I don’t think I want him to be far from home again,” said Somboon, who hails from Nan province in northern Thailand. Bannawat had moved to Israel nine months prior to his abduction in search of better financial opportunities for his family.
Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa described witnessing their return as “very inspiring,” adding that officials would support their reintegration into Thai society, particularly focusing on their mental health. “We never gave up on these hostages,” he stated during a press conference at the airport.
The five returnees are now heading back to their hometowns. Boonsong Tapchaiyut, a labor ministry official, announced that each hostage would receive a one-time payment of approximately $18,000 (600,000 baht), along with a monthly salary of $900 until the age of 80, ensuring they would not have to return to Israel.
Following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, 31 Thais were abducted, with 23 released by the end of that year and two confirmed dead in May. One Thai national is still believed to be alive in Gaza. The handover of the five hostages last month in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, was marked by chaotic scenes as Islamic Jihad and Hamas fighters struggled to manage the crowd of hundreds of onlookers.
After their release, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her elation at their freedom and extended gratitude to Israel, as well as Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and the US for their efforts in securing the releases. According to the Thai foreign ministry, a total of 46 Thai workers have been killed since October 2023, primarily during the Hamas attack and some due to rockets fired by Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Last week, Thailand’s labor ministry announced plans to expand its workforce in Israel by 13,000.
