Five Thai workers taken captive to Gaza return to Israel with warm welcome, government assistance
Hospital welcomes Thai hostages with traditional Thai food and Thai-speaking therapists
The Israeli government welcomed the release of the two Israeli civilians Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moses, along with five Thai hostages released alongside them.
“The Government of Israel embraces the seven returnees. Their families have been updated by the responsible authorities that they are with our forces," the PMO announced. “The Government of Israel is committed to returning all of the hostages and the missing.”
Along with the two Israeli civilians, Arbel Yehud and Gad Moshe Moses, five Thai nationals who had been working in agriculture were also released. The five Thai agricultural workers released are: Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak.
President Isaac Herzog met with the Thai ambassador to Israel, Pannabha Chandraramya, shortly before the release of the hostages, to confirm Israel’s support for the hostages during their release and offering Israel's appreciation for the “support and solidarity” shown by Thailand to Israel following the Oct. 7, 2023, massacres.
Approximately 49 Thai workers were killed during the Hamas-led attack October 2023, including 11 from kibbutz Nir Oz. The five Thai nationals released today were workers at Nir Oz and Moshav Yesha when they were taken captive.
Twenty-three Thai hostages were released during the previous ceasefire deal in November 2023.
I met this morning with the Ambassador of Thailand to Israel, Pannabha Chandraramya, ahead of the release of five Thai citizens from captivity in Gaza today: Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak.
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) January 30, 2025
In our conversation, I told… pic.twitter.com/VfmUFQvgC3
“I met this morning with the Ambassador of Thailand to Israel, Pannabha Chandraramya, ahead of the release of five Thai citizens from captivity in Gaza today: Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat, and Rumnao Surasak,” President Herzog posted to 𝕏. “We hope that they will find strength through the process of rehabilitation and healing, and will be able to return to their homes soon.”
Ambassador Chandraramya said, "It is a great honor for me to be here today, and I am especially excited by the release of five Thai hostages today. This is a day of good news for me and my country, and of course, for the entire world. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Israeli side for all the efforts made to release the hostages.”
The Thai Foreign Ministry said, "Thailand calls for the release of all remaining hostages, including a Thai citizen, as soon as possible, so that they can safely return to their homeland and their beloved families."
There are five other foreign nationals still being held by Palestinian terror groups in Gaza. Three of the five are believed to be dead, including Tanzanian agricultural student Joshua Mollel, who was killed by terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023, and whose death was recorded using action cameras and broadcast on social media by Hamas.
In Thailand, the coverage of the returning Thai workers also focused on the families whom they supported through their work in Israel.
The Thai workers who are being released today are not part of the hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas, therefore, no Palestinian political or terror prisoners will be released in exchange for their freedom.
However, the government of Israel has announced that they will still give the Thai hostages many of the same grants given to Israeli hostages released from Hamas captivity, including an initial organizing grant of NIS 50,000, a travel reimbursement grant, to enable them to return to family in Thailand, and a fixed monthly payment of NIS 3,300 for the rest of their lives.
While they will not qualify for other grants received by Israeli citizens, such as a grant meant to help with finding an apartment, getting a vehicle, and educational grants, the Thai workers will still qualify for some disability services and compensation given to victims of terror acts.
At the Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh), they were prepared to receive the Thai workers with special attention. Thai-speaking psychologists and social workers were waiting for them and will accompany them through the initial reception process.
In addition, traditional Thai food was prepared for the workers and brought to the hospital by the Population and Immigration Authority, along with personal letters welcoming each of them back to Israel.
"We wanted to make it easier for them to return and provide them with a taste of home," the Population Authority said.
Dr. Osnat Levzion, CEO of Shamir Medical Center, said the hospital gained experience in treating foreign hostages, after treating 24 released hostages in the previous deal in November 2023, including 23 Thai citizens and a Filipino citizen.
“We are prepared to take care of the physical, mental and nutritional aspects, and to wrap them in a lot of warmth and love," she said. “We see a great privilege in caring for captives whose families are not here.”
The kibbutz of Nir Oz, where some of the workers had been living, also celebrated their return.
Ofra Ben Shlomo, a secretary in the kibbutz, kept in constant contact with their families during the past year and a half.
“For the first time in this deal, our Thai workers who came to work the land of Israel are returning home,” she said. “These lovers of Israel in heart and soul are returning to the place they love so much. All of us in the community of Kibbutz Nir Oz are waiting for them with tears in our eyes and with open arms. We will not give up until everyone returns home.”
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
