BEER YAAKOV, Israel — The mother of a Thai hostage released from the Gaza Strip was taken aback when she first saw her son during a Facebook livestream on Thursday. Surasak Rumnao, 32, who had been kidnapped from Yesha, Israel, on October 7, 2023, appeared so different that she initially struggled to recognize him. Khammee Lamnao described her son, who looked pale and swollen, as someone completely transformed by his ordeal.
Khammee recounted her emotional reaction during a video call shortly after her son’s release, saying, “I was so happy that I could not eat anything. His father brought some food, but I didn’t want to eat at all.” The atmosphere at the hospital outside Tel Aviv was joyful as dozens of medical personnel from Israel and Thailand welcomed the five released Thai hostages. They celebrated with flags, songs, and cheers as the hostages arrived at the medical facility to undergo health evaluations and recuperate. In addition to Surasak, other Thai individuals released included Watchara Sriaoun, Sathian Suwannakham, Pongsak Thaenna, and Bannawat Saethao.
During the initial assault on southern Israel, Hamas militants took 31 Thai nationals hostage, making them the largest group of foreigners in captivity. Many of these agricultural workers resided in compounds surrounding southern Israeli towns and were among the first targets when Hamas launched their attacks. Previous negotiations had resulted in the release of 23 Thai hostages during a temporary ceasefire in November 2023, facilitated by Thailand, Qatar, and Iran.
According to Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the conflict has led to the deaths of 46 Thai nationals, including two who were killed on October 7 and whose bodies were taken into Gaza. Dr. Osnat Levzion-Korach, the head of Shamir Medical Center, confirmed that the newly released hostages were in “fair” health, despite their extended time spent underground away from sunlight. She indicated that, while they did not seem to be malnourished, their resilience likely stemmed from their youth.
Pannabha Chandraramya, Thailand’s ambassador to Israel, played a significant role in facilitating video calls between the hostages and their families upon their arrival at the hospital. She described the reunions as filled with joy and tears, referring to the day as “one of the happiest of my life.” As her five-year term in Israel comes to a close, she expressed gratitude for witnessing this moment.
At present, there is no update regarding Nattapong Pingsa, the last Thai hostage still reported in Gaza, or the two Thai workers whose remains were taken into the territory. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed appreciation to various nations, including Qatar and the United States, for their assistance in negotiating the hostages’ release outside of the existing ceasefire agreements. She also announced that Thailand’s foreign minister would be traveling to Israel shortly.
Ambassador Pannabha mentioned that the Thai government might arrange for family members of the released hostages to visit Israel, although many lack passports. Moreover, arrangements would be made to ensure the swift return of the released individuals to Thailand, pending medical clearance.
According to Alex Gandler, deputy spokesperson for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the released Thai hostages will be officially recognized as victims of terrorism, qualifying them for financial support and healthcare benefits. He also stated that Israel’s ambassador to Thailand visited previous hostages released in an earlier deal and that the Israeli government maintains ongoing communication with them. Furthermore, Gandler emphasized that Israel remains committed to securing the release of all hostages, including nationals from various countries who are currently unaccounted for in Gaza.
