Rehenes Tailandeses Agradecidos Regresan a Casa Tras Más de un Año en Cautiverio

Sunday 09 February 2025 - 11:10

Five Thai men, who had been held hostage for 15 months in Gaza, have safely returned to Thailand, where they were joyously reunited with their families. Pongsak Thaenna, 36, Sarusak Rumnao, 32, Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, and Bannawat Saethao, 27, were released on January 30 as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

Upon their arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, the men expressed profound gratitude for their safe return. "We feel grateful and delighted to be back in our homeland," said Mr. Pongsak. Emotional reunions followed, with many relatives in tears.

The group had been captured during the cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, when over 1,200 people were killed and many others, including 31 Thai nationals, were kidnapped. Earlier, the workers had been evaluated in a hospital near Tel Aviv before their return to Thailand.

Mr. Pongsak thanked Thai officials for their tireless efforts to secure their freedom, stating that their release would not have been possible without their support. “We are grateful to all who helped,” he added.

The Thai foreign minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, who had escorted the hostages back, emphasized the emotional significance of the return, declaring, “This is the result of never giving up.”

Since the beginning of the war in October 2023, there have been multiple efforts to secure the release of Thai hostages. In a ceasefire deal in November, 23 other Thais were freed. One Thai national remains in captivity, while the Thai government continues to work toward bringing them home.