It’s been a long-awaited moment, but some of the last remaining Thai hostages held captive by Hamas are back on home soil.
Five Thai nationals arrived in Bangkok on Sunday, and were greeted by their families in emotional scenes.
The five have been held in war-torn Gaza for over 15 months following the Hamas militant group’s attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.
But Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Surasak Rumnao, 31, and Bannawat Saethao, 28, had all been released on 30 January after Israel and Hamas recently agreed a ceasefire, leading to a wider prison exchange.
The five have been in Israel recuperating from their ordeal and receiving medical treatment. They began their journey back to Thailand on Saturday evening, flying from Dubai to Bangkok. Their Emirates EK374 flight landed shortly after 7am on Sunday.
As the five arrived, escorted by Thailand’s foreign minister and government officials, the group emotionally clamped their hands together in prayer, a Buddhist custom, before tearfully opening their arms to their waiting families.
They had been held in captivity for 482 days.
Mr Pongsak, one of the five hostages, said it was an overwhelming feeling to be home as he spoke with a crowd of reporters from outlets including The Independent in the airport’s arrivals hall.
“Thank you to the ministry for getting us back today, without their help we wouldn’t be back. It is an overwhelming feeling, so thank you very much,” he said.
The five had been working in Israel, close to the Gaza border, when they were kidnapped by Hamas militants. They were part of a group of 31 foreign nationals who were taken. Twenty-three of the group have since been released.
Speaking at the airport on Sunday, the Thai foreign minister Maris Sangiampongsa, who travelled to Israel to visit the five shortly after their release, welcomed them home and thanked all those involved in making their return possible.
“Today is a very emotional day. It is the most pleasing news to see the Thai nationals return to their homeland. The ministry of foreign affairs, the ministry of labour, all the agencies together and the prime minister, we never gave up hope.
“The tears of joy are our encouragement. We thank all the friendly countries that have helped make today happen. Family is the most important. As you can say they are all healthy, but mental health will be the next important thing. We will continue to support,” he said.
Following the press conference, the five agricultural workers and their families quickly left the airport and began the last leg of their journey home to Thailand’s northern regions.
Dozens of Thais have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Thailand’s ministry of foreign affairs says the total is now 46, including two during the 7 October attacks.
One Thai national, Nattapong Pingsa, remains unaccounted for.
“We will do our utmost to have the remaining hostages returned to Thailand, as well as the remains of those two who have passed away,” Mr Maris added.
Thousands of Thais live in Israel, most of them migrants working in agriculture. Before the war, there were around 30,000 Thais living in the country.
The first group of Thai workers returned days after the conflict began, with 41 returning to Bangkok on two flights. Around 7,000 Thais have returned home since then.
But the war hasn’t prevented other Thais from seeking work in Israel. According to officials, there are now more than 38,000 living in the country. Thai nationals remain the largest group of foreign agricultural labourers in Israel, mainly because they can earn higher wages in Israel than at home.
