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    Home > Headlines > Thai nationals held captive by Hamas for 15 months return home
    Headlines

    Thai nationals held captive by Hamas for 15 months return home

    Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®

    Posted on February 9, 2025

    2 min read

    Last updated: January 26, 2026

    Emotional reunion of Thai nationals with their families at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport after 15 months of captivity by Hamas. This significant event highlights the challenges faced by Thai labourers in conflict zones.
    Thai nationals reunited with families at Suvarnabhumi Airport after 15 months of captivity by Hamas - Global Banking & Finance Review
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    Quick Summary

    Five Thai nationals held by Hamas for over a year return home to emotional reunions in Bangkok. Thai Foreign Minister expresses relief at their safe return.

    Thai Nationals Freed by Hamas Return Home After 15 Months

    BANGKOK (Reuters) - Five Thai nationals held captive by Hamas for over a year returned to Thailand on Sunday, reuniting with their tearful families at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

    The returnees, dressed in winter jackets, were met with emotional embraces from their families.

    "We are all deeply touched to come back to our birthplace ... to be standing here," said Pongsak Thaenna, one of the returnees. "I don't know what else to say, we are all truly thankful."

    According to Israeli authorities, Hamas militants abducted at least 240 people, including Israelis and foreign nationals, in an October 2023 attack on the Israeli border. During the attack, Hamas gunmen killed 41 Thais and kidnapped 30 Thai labourers. Later that year, the first group of Thai hostages was returned.

    Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, who escorted the hostages back from Israel, expressed relief at their return. "This is emotional ... to come back to the embrace of their families," he said. "We never gave up and this was the fruit of that."

    Before the conflict, approximately 30,000 Thai labourers worked in Israel's agriculture sector, making them one of the largest migrant worker groups in the country. Nearly 9,000 Thais were repatriated following the attack. 

    The workers primarily come from Thailand's northeastern region, an area comprising villages and farming communities that is among the poorest in the country.

    Thailand's foreign ministry said a Thai national is still believed to be held captive by Hamas.  

    "We still have hope and continue to work to bring them back," Maris said, adding that this includes the bodies of two deceased Thai nationals. 

    (Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

    Key Takeaways

    • •Five Thai nationals held by Hamas have returned home.
    • •The returnees were greeted by emotional families in Bangkok.
    • •Thai Foreign Minister escorted the hostages back from Israel.
    • •Hamas abducted 240 people in an October 2023 attack.
    • •One Thai national is still believed to be held captive.

    Frequently Asked Questions about Thai nationals held captive by Hamas for 15 months return home

    1What is the main topic?

    The article discusses the return of five Thai nationals held captive by Hamas for 15 months.

    2Who escorted the hostages back?

    Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa escorted the hostages back from Israel.

    3How many Thai nationals were affected by the Hamas attack?

    Hamas militants abducted 30 Thai labourers, and 41 Thais were killed during the attack.

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