PUBLISHED: 4 Feb 2025 at 04: 41
Five Thai captives who were recently released by Hamas said they remained optimistic and made every effort to remain as healthy as possible while still being held captive.
Pongsak Thaenna, a Buri Ram local, described life in prison as hard and compared his liberty to being reborn.
” It appeared as though I had awakened.” A minute chance in life. I’m happy to be alive, and that’s enough for me”, he said.
He had no idea what was happening outside his room during the struggle. However, Mr. Pongsak asserted that he never gave up hope that he would one time been freed.
The thought of his family, especially his 15-year-old girl, who he had not seen for more than seven centuries, provided him with psychological support, he said.
After being held hostage by Hamas for more than a year, Mr. Pongsak and Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa discussed their ideas with him at the hospital in Israel, where he and the other four people, Watchara Sriaou, Sathian Suwannakham, Surasak Rumnao, and Bannawat Saethao, are now receiving medical care.
Mr Bannawat, who was held captive with two different Thais, said that living in prison was not pleasant, but his health was not too poor.
” After being freed, I felt so relieved. I had no idea how much of a journey I would take house. They assured us they wouldn’t do anything, but I kept wondering whether they would.
” They did show some worry, asking if we could eat their food. We had to because we must live, “he said, adding that the three of them frequently supported each another.
According to Mr Maris, Israeli President Isaac Herzog even praised Thailand’s role in supporting the peace negotiations, which led to the discharge of more Thai victims.
He added that the Jewish president even urged Thailand to keep cooperating with Israel and other countries to free the last of the Thai hostages whose fate is still unknown.
Mr Maris, who met his Jewish rival, GideonSa’ar, said the Israeli secretary praised Thailand’s ability to secure the release of the five victims.
The foreign minister attributed the victory to Thailand’s strong relationships with various states, including Qatar, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, the US and Israel.
This demonstrates our ability to work with friends and allies. We stand in the middle and may push for conversations through our political programmes, he said, despite the two parties ‘ opposing positions.
He claimed that if the two countries cooperate more, it could act as a “bridge builder” in addition to the labor collaboration that has made Thai employees so important to Israel’s agricultural industry.
Five Thai victims ‘ family depart for Tel Aviv, Israel, on Monday evening to attend their loved ones and bring them back to Thailand. ( Photo supplied )