Five Thai farm workers, who were kidnapped during the October 2023 attacks by Hamas on Israel, have been released after being held for almost 500 days in Gaza. The hostages, Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Saethao, and Surasak Lamnao, were handed over to the Red Cross on Thursday.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her joy at the news of their release, stating that the government is working with Israel to reunite them with their families soonest. One Thai hostage remains unaccounted for.
The families of the released hostages were overjoyed, with Wilas Thaenna’s son Pongsak being described as “the first thing” on his mother’s mind after her release. Wiwwaew Sriaoun also broke down in tears, saying she wants to hug her son Watchara and tell him she misses him very much.
The Thai government says the released hostages were taken to hospital in Israel for treatment before expected to return to Thailand within 10 days. The news comes as part of a separate agreement between Hamas and the Thai government, which is not part of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal.
Thirty-one Thai workers were initially taken hostage during the October 2023 attacks, with more than 40 killed on the day. Nearly all of the foreign workers abducted during the attack were Thais, making them one of the largest migrant groups in Israel.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj48qxd7jq5o