Tears of Joy as Freed Thai Hostages Return Home to Bangkok

Emotional scenes in Bangkok as Thai hostages, recently freed from captivity, reunite with their families, marking a moment of relief and celebration.

Five Thai farm workers, who were released by Hamas in Gaza last month after being held captive for nearly 500 days, have returned home to Bangkok.

Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Saethao, and Surasak Lamnao were all working in southern Israel when they were abducted during the October 2023 attacks.

Emotional scenes unfolded on Sunday morning at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport’s arrivals hall, as tearful relatives embraced the five men.

“I can’t find the right words to express it,” said Mr. Thaenna, a released hostage.

I want to express my gratitude to all the officials who assisted us in reaching this point.

We couldn’t have done it without your support. We are deeply moved and so happy to be back in our homeland. I am genuinely grateful.

Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa described witnessing their return after being released on January 30, as part of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, as “very inspiring.”

Upon arriving in Bangkok at 07:30 local time (00:30 GMT), the five individuals were greeted by a small group of delighted relatives and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Somboon Saethao, Mr. Saethao’s father, expressed that he was “so happy” and mentioned that his family plans to welcome his son home with a traditional Thai ceremony.

“I don’t think I want him to be away from home again,” his father told AFP.

Mr. Saethao relocated to Israel nine months prior to his kidnapping in pursuit of a better income for his family, he added.

His wife, Wiayada Saethao, conveyed to BBC Thai reporters that the 15 months her husband spent as a hostage were filled with suffering.

“There’s no need to be afraid any longer. We’re home now, here in Thailand. We’re returning home,” she reassured.

Boonsong Tapchaiyut, an official from the labor ministry, announced that each hostage would be granted a one-time payment of approximately £14,510 (600,000 baht). Additionally, they will receive a monthly salary of £725 until reaching 80 years old to ensure they do not need to return to Israel.

One Thai hostage is still missing.

“We will never stop taking action for the sixth Thai hostage still remaining in Gaza; we remain hopeful and are committed to doing whatever it takes until we succeed,” said Foreign Minister Mr. Sangiampongsa.

Last month, following the release of the five hostages in Khan Yunis, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her joy, stating she was “elated” that they were no longer captives.

She expressed gratitude to Israel, as well as Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and the United States for their efforts in securing the releases.

According to the foreign ministry in Bangkok, 46 Thai workers have been killed since October 2023. Most of these deaths occurred during a Hamas attack, while others resulted from rockets launched by Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas took 251 hostages and caused the deaths of around 1,200 individuals during its attack on Israel, which ignited a regional conflict.

According to Gaza’s health ministry, operated by Hamas, at least 47,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive. The United Nations reports that approximately two-thirds of the buildings in Gaza have suffered damage or destruction due to Israeli attacks.