On Sunday, five Thai citizens who had been held captive by Hamas for over 15 months returned to Thailand, reuniting with their families at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The group, consisting of Sathien Suwannakham, Pongsak Thaenna, Watchara Sriaoun, Surasak Rumnao, and Bannawat Saethao, were among those kidnapped during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which led to the deaths of 41 Thais and the abduction of 30 Thai laborers.

Wearing winter jackets, the returnees were greeted with heartfelt embraces from their families upon arriving.

Pongsak Thaenna, who was welcomed by his father, expressed his immense joy and gratitude, saying, "I am indescribably happy to come back home again," and he thanked the government for their role in facilitating his return.

Bannawat Saethao was reunited with his wife, Wichayada Sae-yang, who had been fervently praying for his safe return.

The couple has three children, aged one, four, and six, who had been asking about their father's return and why there had been no contact from him during his captivity.

Sathien Suwannakham was received by his mother, Nukan, who revealed that she had visited many shrines and consulted fortune tellers during his absence, fearing for his life.

Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, who accompanied the hostages from Israel, noted the emotional reunions he observed at the airport.

He expressed relief at their safe return and reiterated the government’s determination to secure the release of other Thai hostages still believed to be held by Hamas, as well as to recover the bodies of two deceased Thai nationals.

According to Israeli officials, the attack on October 7 involved the kidnapping of at least 240 individuals, including Israelis and foreign nationals.

The situation for Thai laborers in Israel, a significant migrant worker demographic, has been unstable since the event, with reports suggesting that nearly 9,000 Thai workers have been repatriated following the onset of hostilities.

Before the attack, around 30,000 Thai laborers were working in Israel's agricultural sector, many hailing from rural and impoverished areas in Thailand’s northeastern region.

As families celebrate their return, Minister Sangiampongsa assured the public of the government's relentless efforts to secure the safe return of any remaining hostages, stating, "We still have hope and continue to work to bring them back."