PUBLISHED: 9 Feb 2025 at 11: 18
Five Thai citizens who have been held by Hamas for more than a year made their way back to Thailand on Sunday, reuniting with their teary communities at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The returnees, dressed in winter coats, were met with personal hugs from their people.
” We are all profoundly touched to come back to our origin… to remain standing around”, said Pongsak Thaenna, one of the returnees. ” I don’t know what else to say, we are all certainly thankful”.
According to Israeli government, Hamas insurgents abducted at least 240 folks, including Israelis and international citizens, in an October 2023 assault on the Jewish borders. During the assault, Hamas attackers killed 41 Thais and kidnapped 30 Thai workers. After that time, the first class of Thai victims was returned.
Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangyampong walks with released Thai victims, who were kidnapped during the dangerous Oct 7, 2023 strike by Hamas and held in Gaza, as they arrive in Thailand after being released, at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, in Samut Prakan, Thailand on Sunday. ( Reuters photo )
Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, who escorted the victims up from Israel, expressed comfort at their profit. ” This is emotional… to come back to the embrace of their families”, he said. We always gave up, and this was the end result.
Before the fight, about 30, 000 Thai labourers worked in Israel’s crops industry, making them one of the largest immigrant employee groups in the country. Roughly 9, 000 Thais were repatriated following the attack.
The workers mostly come from , Thailand’s northern area, an area spanning villages and farming areas that is among the poorest in the country.
A Thai countrywide is also believed to be held prisoner by Hamas, according to the Thai foreign ministry.
” We also have trust and work diligently to bring them back,” said Mr. Maris, noting that this includes the bodies of two dying Thai citizens.  ,
Pongsak Thaenna, one of the released Thai victims, who was kidnapped during the dangerous Oct 7, 2023 strike by Hamas and held in Gaza, hugs his father and brother as the victims arrived in Thailand following their launch, at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, in Samut Prakan, Thailand, on Sunday. ( Reuters photo )