Five Thai Citizens Return Home After 15 Months in Hamas Captivity, Emotional Reunion at Airport

Five Thai Citizens Return Home After 15 Months in Hamas Captivity, Emotional Reunion at Airport

Bangkok, February 9, 2025: Five Thai citizens who had been held captive by Hamas for 15 months returned to Thailand on Sunday, and their emotional reunion with their families took place at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The five returnees were all wearing winter jackets, and their family members embraced them emotionally.

One of the returnees, Pongsak Thainna, said, "We are deeply emotional to return to our homeland... standing here, there are no words to express, we are all truly grateful."

According to Israeli authorities, Hamas fighters launched an attack on the Israel border in October 2023, kidnapping at least 240 people, including both Israeli and foreign nationals. During the attack, 41 Thai citizens were killed by Hamas gunfire, and 30 Thai workers were kidnapped. The first group of Thai prisoners was released later that year.

Thailand's Foreign Minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, who was instrumental in bringing the prisoners back from Israel, expressed relief at their return. He said, "It’s emotional... returning to the embrace of their families. We never gave up, and this is the result of that effort."

Around 30,000 Thai workers were employed in Israel, making them the largest immigrant worker group in the country's agricultural sector. After the attack, approximately 9,000 Thai citizens were brought back to Thailand.

The Thai Foreign Ministry reported that one Thai citizen is still being held captive by Hamas.