Five Thai hostages – land workers – released by Hamas on January 30, were returned to Bangkok today, sixteen months after their abduction by fighters of the Palestinian Islamist movement.

The five men arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnaboumi Airport at 07:30 (local time; 02:30 Greek time), where they were welcomed by their relatives with tears in their eyes and executives of the Foreign Ministry.

Homer Tiland

One of his father said “truly happy” that his son returned, who was welcomed by traditional Thai ceremony, along with other family members. “I don’t think he will leave home again,” he added.

Authorities are intended to make sure that the hostages are reintegrated smoothly and will focus on “their mental health,” Foreign Minister Maris Sagiabonga stressed.

Homer Tiland

“We never left the hostages,” he assured during a press conference at the airport.

Homer Tiland

TURN

Tens of thousands of workers from Southeast Asia worked in Israel when Hamas’ attack unfolded, many of them as farmers in the Israeli rural home near the Gaza border.

A total of 31 Thai were abducted during the raid on October 7, 20233. 23 were released before it ended in 2023. Other two were declared dead in May 2024. The last hostage from Thailand that continues to be held in the Gaza Strip is believed to be still alive.

According to authorities in Bangkok, 46 Thai workers died during the Israeli-Hamas war.

Most were killed when the Palestinian Islamist movement was attacked, but some died by rockets of the Lebanese Hezbolla movement, which opened a front with Israel the day after the outbreak of war to support Hamas, her ally.