Five Thai farm workers who were held captive by Hamas in Gaza for over a year returned to Bangkok on Sunday, February 9, 2025. They were freed as part of a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the Gaza war. Their families wept with joy and hugged them upon their arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Five Thai farm workers who were held hostage in Gaza for over a year arrived in Bangkok on Sunday, February 9, 2025, greeted by tearful relatives and officials. The men, Watchara Sriaoun, Pongsak Tanna, Sathian Suwannakham, Surasak Lamnau, and Bannawat Saethao, were freed as part of a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the Gaza war. They landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 7:30 am local time and were met by a small group of overjoyed relatives and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
One of the freed hostages, Sathian Suwannakham, expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped secure their release, stating they wouldn't be home today without their support. He emphasized the joy of returning to their motherland. Somboon Saethao, the father of Bannawat, shared his overwhelming happiness and revealed plans for a traditional Thai welcome ceremony. Bannawat had moved to Israel nine months before his abduction in search of a better income for his family. Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa described their return as 'very inspiring' and assured that officials would monitor their reintegration into Thai society, particularly focusing on their mental health. Each hostage will receive a one-time payment of US$18,000 and a monthly salary of US$900 until the age of 80 to ensure they don't need to return to Israel. This event follows the release of 23 other Thai hostages in December 2023 and the confirmation of two deaths in May. The handover of the five hostages last month in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, was marked by chaotic scenes as Islamic Jihad and Hamas fighters struggled to control the large crowd of spectators. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed elation over their release and thanked Israel, as well as Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, and the United States, for their efforts in securing the releases. A total of 46 Thai workers have tragically lost their lives since October 2023, mostly in the Hamas attack and some to rockets fired by Lebanon's Hezbollah
THAI HOSTAGES HAMAS GAZA WAR CEASEFIRE BANGKOK RETURN HOME
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