Thai Family Prepares to Bring Home Remains of Hostage Killed in Gaza
Remains of Sudthisak Rinthalak identified and slated for repatriation — only one hostage’s body remains in Gaza
The body of Thai agricultural worker Sudthisak Rinthalak — killed during the October 7, 2023 attacks — has been formally identified and is being prepared for repatriation to Thailand, officials announced this week.
His remains were among a tranche handed over by militants in Gaza under the ceasefire agreement currently in effect.
That leaves only one hostage, Israeli police officer Master Sergeant Ran Gvili, still held — alive or deceased — in Gaza.
Sudthisak, a native of northeastern Thailand, had travelled to Israel years ago to work in agriculture and support his family.
On October 7, 2023, militants stormed the area near Kibbutz Be’eri where he worked, killing many and abducting foreign labourers.
His body was taken into Gaza, and the family was not formally informed of his death until mid-May 2024. Since then his remains have been among the most sought-after in calls for body recoveries.
Late this week, forensic teams in Israel confirmed that the remains transferred from Gaza belong to Sudthisak.
Israeli authorities said the handover was conducted through the International Red Cross, with identification verified by the national forensic institute.
The Thai family has been notified, and the government of Israel has pledged to coordinate with the Thai Embassy to repatriate the remains promptly and with dignity.
In their home village, Sudthisak’s relatives have quietly prepared for a traditional Buddhist burial ceremony.
His elder brother, who spent part of the compensation money building a house and supporting their ageing parents, said that “none of it matters” without his younger brother’s return.
The family expressed both relief and sorrow — relief that they can finally say goodbye properly, sorrow that what remains is only a body.
Israeli and Thai officials offered condolences, underscoring the tragic costs borne by foreign workers who sought to support families abroad.
The return of Sudthisak’s remains brings the number of deceased hostages yet to be recovered down to one.
Israeli authorities have reiterated their commitment to securing Gvili’s remains — and demanded that the militant group responsible honour its obligations under the ceasefire and return him without delay.
His remains were among a tranche handed over by militants in Gaza under the ceasefire agreement currently in effect.
That leaves only one hostage, Israeli police officer Master Sergeant Ran Gvili, still held — alive or deceased — in Gaza.
Sudthisak, a native of northeastern Thailand, had travelled to Israel years ago to work in agriculture and support his family.
On October 7, 2023, militants stormed the area near Kibbutz Be’eri where he worked, killing many and abducting foreign labourers.
His body was taken into Gaza, and the family was not formally informed of his death until mid-May 2024. Since then his remains have been among the most sought-after in calls for body recoveries.
Late this week, forensic teams in Israel confirmed that the remains transferred from Gaza belong to Sudthisak.
Israeli authorities said the handover was conducted through the International Red Cross, with identification verified by the national forensic institute.
The Thai family has been notified, and the government of Israel has pledged to coordinate with the Thai Embassy to repatriate the remains promptly and with dignity.
In their home village, Sudthisak’s relatives have quietly prepared for a traditional Buddhist burial ceremony.
His elder brother, who spent part of the compensation money building a house and supporting their ageing parents, said that “none of it matters” without his younger brother’s return.
The family expressed both relief and sorrow — relief that they can finally say goodbye properly, sorrow that what remains is only a body.
Israeli and Thai officials offered condolences, underscoring the tragic costs borne by foreign workers who sought to support families abroad.
The return of Sudthisak’s remains brings the number of deceased hostages yet to be recovered down to one.
Israeli authorities have reiterated their commitment to securing Gvili’s remains — and demanded that the militant group responsible honour its obligations under the ceasefire and return him without delay.
