Thai Hostages Held by Hamas Return Home After 15 Months

Five Thai nationals who were held captive by Hamas in Gaza for over 15 months have finally returned home. The five men, Watchara Sriaoun, Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Surasak Rumnao, and Bannawat Saethao, were greeted by their families in emotional scenes at Bangkok airport on Sunday.

The men had been working in Israel, close to the Gaza border, when they were kidnapped by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023. They were part of a group of 31 foreign nationals who were taken hostage, but 23 of the group have since been released.

The five men were released on January 30 after Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire, which led to a wider prisoner exchange. They have been in Israel recuperating from their ordeal and receiving medical treatment.

Speaking at the airport on Sunday, the Thai foreign minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, who travelled to Israel to visit the five men shortly after their release, welcomed them home and thanked all those involved in making their return possible.

"Today is a very emotional day. It is the most pleasing news to see the Thai nationals return to their homeland," he said. "The ministry of foreign affairs, the ministry of labour, all the agencies together and the prime minister, we never gave up hope."

Following the press conference, the five men and their families quickly left the airport and began the last leg of their journey home to Thailand's northern regions.

The Thai government says it will do its utmost to have the remaining hostages returned to Thailand, as well as the remains of those who have passed away.