The horrific suffering of five Thai farm workers held by Palestinian Hamas militants ended with an emotional exchange on Thursday, alongside three released Israeli hostages, after intense diplomatic efforts that at times frayed relations between Bangkok and Jerusalem.
Pongsak Thenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Seathao, Surasak Lamnau were working in Israeli communities near the border when Hamas attacked on Oct. 7, 2023
The Thais were abducted when Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct 7, 2023. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The father of a Thai farmhand who was held hostage in Gaza for 15 months could barely get the words out at hearing the news of his son’s release.
Thailand and Israel have expressed interest in negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) to enhance trade and investment between the two nations.Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said the countries share a mutual interest in establishing an FTA,
Five Thai farm workers who were abducted during the 7 October attacks by Hamas on Israel have been released after being held for almost 500 days in Gaza. They were handed over to the Red Cross during chaotic scenes along with two Israelis, shortly after a first Israeli hostage was freed.
Five Thai nationals held hostage by Hamas since its Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel were released on Thursday, while one remaining Thai citizen remains in captivity.
Kumphawapi, THAILAND: The families of Thai farm workers held for over a year in Gaza cheered and wept with relief Thursday (Jan 30) as they were freed in a hostage-prisoner excha
Buses carrying freed Palestinian prisoners left an Israeli prison on Thursday, after chaos during the release by Gaza militants of three Israeli hostages and five Thais led to a brief delay in the process.
At least 39 Thai agricultural workers were killed in the Oct. 7 attacks, and at least 31 were taken hostage, according to the Thai foreign ministry. Of the 31 hostages, at least two died in captivity, Thai officials said. During a cease-fire in November 2023, 23 Thai hostages were released.
Thailand suffered the highest toll of any country not directly involved in the war, with its citizens working perilously close to dangerous boundary areas in Israel