Sarusak Rumnao, Watchara Sriaoun, Sathian Suwannakham, Pongsak Thenna and Bannawat Saethao say they are “very happy to be able to return to our homeland”
Five Thai workers freed after being held hostage for more than a year by Palestinian terrorists in Gaza arrived in Bangkok on Sunday, with their families crying tears of joy and hugging their loved ones.
They were released on January 30 after nearly 500 days in captivity as part of a ceasefire agreement.
They were discharged from Israel's Sheba Medical Center on Saturday after undergoing several days of medical treatment and observation.
Relatives embraced them in the arrivals hall at Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sagniampongsa and Israeli Ambassador to Thailand Orna Sagiv were at the airport to welcome the freed hostages.
“We are all very grateful and very happy to be able to return to our homeland. We would all like to thank them. I don’t know what else to say,” Pongsak said at a press conference at the airport.
Bannawat's father, Somboon Saethao, said he was "very happy" and that his family would welcome his son home with a traditional Thai ceremony.
Her son moved to Israel nine months before his abduction in search of a better income for the family, she added.
Thai Foreign Minister Maris said his government “never gave up hope and today we have the result. Tears of joy are our encouragement.” He added that Bangkok will continue to work to secure the release of one remaining Thai hostage.
The group quickly left the press conference to return to their hometowns in Thailand's northern and northeastern regions.
There is no current information available about Nattapong Pingsa, the last remaining Thai hostage in Gaza, or the two Thai nationals who were killed in the October 7 attack and whose bodies were brought to the Strip.
Maris traveled to Israel to visit the five freed men shortly after their release and met with his Israeli counterpart to seek support in securing the release of the remaining Thai hostage and recovering the bodies of the two deceased Thai men.
Those released were working in Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7, 2023, and were among the hostages captured by Hamas.
The five were released in a chaotic and farcical scene in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on January 30.
Agencies contributed to this Aurora article