Israel-Gaza war: Thai hostages speak of relief after release by Hamas, mourn fellow workers

17 Thais flew back from Israel after the foreign ministry and Thai Muslim groups negotiated their release, about 32 Thais were abducted by Palestinian militants

Thailand had 30,000 citizens in Israel when the raid occurred, most of them migrant workers from poorer provinces in the kingdom’s northeast

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Thai migrant worker Phonsawan Pinakalo (L), who was taken hostage by the Palestinian militan group Hamas,, hugs his mother as a group of released Thai hostages arrives from Israel at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 7:54pm, 30 Nov 2023

Thai hostages freed after weeks being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip spoke on Thursday of their relief after returning to Bangkok, where they were welcomed home by overjoyed relatives.

Seventeen Thais flew back from Israel after Bangkok’s foreign ministry and Thai Muslim groups worked to negotiate their release.

At least 32 Thais were abducted by the Palestinian militants when they attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping about 240, according to Israeli authorities.

A flight carrying the group of 17 – along with Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara – landed at Suvarnabhumi airport soon after 3:00pm local time.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, seventh from left, poses for photographers with Thai hostages who were freed from Hamas after they arrived in Thailand on Thursday. Photo: AP

“The support of friends and allies helped secure the release of Thai hostages,” the roreign minister told reporters, adding that the government would continue its efforts in securing the release of those who remain captive.