Thai hostages freed from Gaza arrive in Bangkok
BANGKOK, Thailand — The families of Thai farm workers held hostage in Gaza for over a year wept with joy and hugged their loved ones as they arrived in Bangkok on Sunday.
The five Thais smiled as they walked into the arrivals hall at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport after being freed on January 30, as part of a ceasefire deal aimed at ending the Gaza war.
The five -- Watchara Sriaoun, Pongsak Tanna, Sathian Suwannakham, Surasak Lamnau and Bannawat Saethao -- landed in Bangkok at 7:30 am (0030 GMT) on Sunday and were met by overjoyed relatives and officials from the ministry of foreign affairs.
Somboon Saethao said he was "so happy" and that his family would welcome his son Bannawat home with a traditional Thai ceremony.
"I don't think I want him to be far from home again," Somboon told AFP.
His son moved to Israel nine months before his kidnap in search of a better income for the family, he added.
When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, 31 Thais were abducted, with 23 released by the end of that year and two confirmed dead in May.
One Thai national is still believed to be alive in Gaza.
The handover of the five hostages last month in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza was marked by chaotic scenes as Islamic Jihad and Hamas fighters struggled to hold back hundreds of spectators.
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