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It’s been a long-awaited second, however a number of the final remaining Thai hostages held captive by Hamas are again on residence soil.
5 Thai nationals arrived in Bangkok on Sunday, and have been greeted by their households in emotional scenes.
The 5 have been held in war-torn Gaza for over 15 months following the Hamas militant group’s assaults on Israel on 7 October 2023.
However Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Surasak Rumnao, 31, and Bannawat Saethao, 28, had all been launched on 30 January after Israel and Hamas just lately agreed a ceasefire, resulting in a wider jail alternate.
The 5 have been in Israel recuperating from their ordeal and receiving medical therapy. They started their journey again to Thailand on Saturday night, flying from Dubai to Bangkok. Their Emirates EK374 flight landed shortly after 7am on Sunday.
Because the 5 arrived, escorted by Thailand’s overseas minister and authorities officers, the group emotionally clamped their fingers collectively in prayer, a Buddhist customized, earlier than tearfully opening their arms to their ready households.
They’d been held in captivity for 482 days.
Mr Pongsak, one of many 5 hostages, stated it was an awesome feeling to be residence as he spoke with a crowd of reporters from shops together with The Impartial within the airport’s arrivals corridor.
“Thanks to the ministry for getting us again in the present day, with out their assist we wouldn’t be again. It’s an awesome feeling, so thanks very a lot,” he stated.
The 5 had been working in Israel, near the Gaza border, once they have been kidnapped by Hamas militants. They have been a part of a gaggle of 31 overseas nationals who have been taken. Twenty-three of the group have since been launched.
Talking on the airport on Sunday, the Thai overseas minister Maris Sangiampongsa, who travelled to Israel to go to the 5 shortly after their launch, welcomed them residence and thanked all these concerned in making their return doable.
“At this time is a really emotional day. It’s the most pleasing information to see the Thai nationals return to their homeland. The ministry of overseas affairs, the ministry of labour, all of the companies collectively and the prime minister, we by no means gave up hope.
“The tears of pleasure are our encouragement. We thank all of the pleasant nations which have helped make in the present day occur. Household is an important. As you possibly can say they’re all wholesome, however psychological well being would be the subsequent essential factor. We are going to proceed to assist,” he stated.
Following the press convention, the 5 agricultural employees and their households rapidly left the airport and started the final leg of their journey residence to Thailand’s northern areas.
Dozens of Thais have been killed within the battle between Israel and Hamas. Thailand’s ministry of overseas affairs says the entire is now 46, together with two through the 7 October assaults.
One Thai nationwide, Nattapong Pingsa, stays unaccounted for.
“We are going to do our utmost to have the remaining hostages returned to Thailand, in addition to the stays of these two who’ve handed away,” Mr Maris added.
Hundreds of Thais stay in Israel, most of them migrants working in agriculture. Earlier than the warfare, there have been round 30,000 Thais dwelling within the nation.
The primary group of Thai employees returned days after the battle started, with 41 returning to Bangkok on two flights. Round 7,000 Thais have returned residence since then.
However the warfare hasn’t prevented different Thais from in search of work in Israel. Based on officers, there are actually greater than 38,000 dwelling within the nation. Thai nationals stay the biggest group of overseas agricultural labourers in Israel, primarily as a result of they will earn greater wages in Israel than at residence.
