Freed men arrive home to tears of joy in Bangkok | Global News Avenue

Five Thai farm workers released by Hamas in Gaza have returned to Bangkok after nearly 500 days of imprisonment last month.

Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Saethao and Surasak Lamnao all worked in southern Israel when they were kidnapped in the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

There were some emotional scenes on Sunday morning as the arrival hall at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport was embraced by tears in relatives.

Mr. Pongsak said: “I don’t know what to say.”

“I want to thank all the officials who have been involved in helping us until we stand here.

“We wouldn’t be here without your help. We are so moved and happy to be back in our homeland. I’m really grateful.”

Foreign Secretary Maris Sangiampongsa said it was “very inspiring” to witness their return After the release on January 30.

Mr Bannawat’s father, Somboon Saethao, said he was “happy” that his family would welcome his son home through traditional Thai rituals.

“I don’t want him to be far away from home again,” his father told AFP.

He added that Mr Benawat moved to Israel nine months before the kidnapping to find a better income for the family.

His wife, Wiayada Saethao, told BBC Thai reporters that the 15 months her husband was in custody were a time of suffering.

“Don’t be afraid. We’re at home now. We’re in Thailand. We’re going home.”

After landing in Bangkok at 07:30 local time (00:30 GMT), a small group of relatives and government officials encountered five people.

They spent 10 days in Israeli hospitals so that their health could be monitored.

Now, five people will head to their hometown.

Labor Department official Boonsong Tapchaiyut said each hostage would receive a one-time payment of about £14,510 (Thai baht 600,000) and a monthly salary of £725 until the age of 80 to ensure they don’t have to return to Israel.

A Thai hostage still has no blame.

“For the Sixth Thai hostages who remain in Gaza, we never avoid action, we still have hope and will do anything until we succeed,” the Thai Foreign Minister said.

Last month, Thai Prime Minister Paetontarn Shinawatra said she was “emotional” and they were imprisoned after the transfer of five hostages in Khan Yunis.

She thanked Israel, as well as Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Türkiye and the United States for their work to ensure the issuance.

According to the Bangkok Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a total of 46 Thai workers have been killed since October 2023, with the majority in Hamas attacks Some rockets launched by Hezbollah Group of Lebanon.

Hamas occupied 251 people and killed about 1,200 people when attacking Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering the Gaza War.

According to Gaza Hamas-ruling Ministry of Health, at least 47,500 Palestinians were killed in Israeli offensives. The United Nations said about two-thirds of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli attacks.

The release of Thai hostages does not form part of the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire agreement reached on January 19, under which 21 Israeli hostages and 566 Palestinian prisoners have been released so far.

By the end of the first phase of the ceasefire within three weeks, 33 hostages and 1,900 prisoners are expected to be released. Israel says eight out of 33 people died.

Other reports from Thanyarat Doksone.