BBC News, London
Five Thai labourers who were released by Hamas in Gaza previous month have returned to Bangkok after almost 500 days of confinement.
When they were abducted during the assaults in October 2023, Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Saethao, and Surasak Lamnao had all been employed in southeastern Israel.
At Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport’s arrivals house on Sunday night, the five people were embraced by sad family in heartfelt images.
” I don’t know how to put it into terms”, released prisoner Mr Thaenna, said.
” I want to thank all the officers who assisted us up until we’re standing around.
” We wouldn’t be here without you helping us. We are relieved and deeply moved to had returned to our country. I am really thankful.
Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said it was “very inspiring” to witness their return following their release on 30 January as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
The five were met by a small group of overjoyed relatives and ministry of foreign affairs officials after landing in Bangkok at 07:30 local time ( 00:30 GMT ).
Reuters
ReutersSomboon Saethao, the parents of Mr Saethao, said he was” but content” and that his family had allowed his son home with a traditional Thai service.
” I don’t think I want him to be far from household again”, his father told AFP.
According to him, Mr. Saethao moved to Israel nine weeks prior to his kidnapping in search of a better money for his family.
His partner, Wiayada Saethao, told BBC Thai investigators that the 15 times her father was held captive were a time of suffering.
” Don’t get scared again. We’re home today. We’re in Thailand. We’re going up home”, she told BBC Thai investigators.
ReutersThe five people may make their way to their communities.
Boonsong Tapchaiyut, a labour government official, said each prisoner would get a one-time payment of around £14, 510 (600, 000 ringgit ), along with a monthly wage of £725 until the age of 80, to guarantee they did not have to return to Israel.
One Thai prisoner is still missing.
” For the fifth Thai prisoner who also remain in the Gaza, we not refrain from behavior, we do also have trust and will do whatever until we succeed”, said Foreign Minister Mr Sangiampongsa.
Last month, after the handover of the five hostages in Khan Yunis Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she was “elated” that they were out of captivity.
She thanked Israel, as well as Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey and the United States for their job to stable the discharges.
A total of 46 Thai workers have been killed since October 2023, according to the foreign ministry in Bangkok, the majority in the Hamas attack and some by rockets fired by Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering the local conflict, it kidnapped 251 hostages and killed about 1,200 people.
At least 47, 500 Civilians have been killed in Israel’s rude, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health department. About two-thirds of Gaza’s properties have been damaged or destroyed by Israel’s problems, the UN says.