BANGKOK — Five Thai nationals who had been held captive in Gaza for over a year returned to Bangkok on Sunday. The men, Sarusak Rumnao, 32, Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, and Bannawat Saethao, 27, were released on January 30 as part of a negotiated exchange program.
Upon their arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, the group received a warm welcome from family members, some visibly emotional at the reunion. Also present were Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sagniampongsa and the Israeli Ambassador to Thailand, Orna Sagiv, who both expressed their relief and support for the returning hostages.
In a press conference at the airport, Pongsak expressed gratitude and happiness at being home, stating, “We are all very grateful and very happy that we get to return to our homeland. We all would really like to thank you. I don’t know what else to say.” Minister Maris highlighted the unwavering hope of the Thai government, remarking, “The tears of joy are our encouragement” as they work to secure the release of any remaining hostages.
The five men were part of the second group of Thai hostages freed after the onset of the conflict. Previously, during a temporary ceasefire in November 2023, 23 Thai citizens were released due to negotiations facilitated by Thailand with the help of Qatar and Iran.
Before returning to Thailand, all five were medically evaluated at a hospital near Tel Aviv. Additionally, four of them were accompanied by a relative for their journey, which was arranged by the Israeli government as indicated by the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv.
Durning the violent events that transpired on October 7, 2023, Hamas took hostage 31 Thai workers, leading to the largest group of foreign captives. Thai agricultural laborers predominantly lived in settlements near southern Israeli kibbutzim, which were among the first locations targeted by Hamas militants.
According to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of 46 Thais, which includes two individuals killed during the initial attack; their bodies have since been taken into Gaza. There has been no recent information regarding Nattapong Pingsa, the last known Thai hostage, or the two Thai workers whose remains were captured.
Following the release of the five men, Minister Maris made a trip to Israel to meet with them and engage with his Israeli counterparts to garner support for the release of any remaining hostages and to recover the bodies of the deceased.
Thai nationals represent the largest group of foreign agricultural workers in Israel. This follows a bilateral agreement established a decade prior, aimed at simplifying the process for Thai workers entering the agricultural sector. Many Palestinian laborers have since returned home, and before the escalation of the conflict, foreign and Palestinian workers made up about half of Israel’s labor force.
