Freed men arrive home to tears of joy in Bangkok

5 Thai farm employees launched by Hamas in Gaza final month have arrived house in Bangkok, after spending practically 500 days in captivity.

Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Saethao and Surasak Lamnao had all been working in southern Israel once they have been kidnapped in the course of the assaults in October 2023.

There have been emotional scenes on Sunday morning because the 5 males have been embraced by tearful family members at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport’s arrivals corridor.

“I do not know the way to put it into phrases,” launched hostage Mr Thaenna stated.

“I might prefer to thank all of the officers who have been concerned in serving to us out till we’re standing right here.

“We would not be right here with out you serving to us. We’re very touched and really glad to have returned to our homeland. I’m really grateful.”

Overseas Minister Maris Sangiampongsa stated it was “very inspiring” to witness their return following their release on 30 January as a part of the ceasefire settlement between Israel and Hamas.

Somboon Saethao, the daddy of Mr Saethao, stated he was “so completely happy” and that his household would welcome his son house with a standard Thai ceremony.

“I do not suppose I need him to be removed from house once more,” his father instructed AFP.

Mr Saethao moved to Israel 9 months earlier than his kidnap searching for a greater revenue for the household, he added.

His spouse, Wiayada Saethao, instructed BBC Thai reporters that the 15 months her husband was held hostage have been a interval of struggling.

“Do not be afraid anymore. We’re house now. We’re in Thailand. We’re going again house,” she stated.

After touchdown in Bangkok at 07:30 native time (00:30 GMT), the 5 have been met by a small group of overjoyed family members and authorities officers.

They’d spent previous 10 days at an Israeli hospital so their well being could be monitored.

The 5 males will now make their approach to their hometowns.

Boonsong Tapchaiyut, a labour ministry official, stated every hostage would obtain a one-time cost of round £14,510 (600,000 baht), together with a month-to-month wage of £725 till the age of 80, to make sure they didn’t should return to Israel.

One Thai hostage stays unaccounted for.

“For the sixth Thai hostage who nonetheless stay within the Gaza, we by no means chorus from motion, we do nonetheless have hope and can do no matter till we succeed,” stated Overseas Minister Mr Sangiampongsa.

Final month, after the handover of the 5 hostages in Khan Yunis Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she was “elated” that they were out of captivity.

She thanked Israel, in addition to Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey and america for his or her work to safe the releases.

A complete of 46 Thai employees have been killed since October 2023, in keeping with the overseas ministry in Bangkok, the bulk within the Hamas assault and some by rockets fired by Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Hamas seized 251 hostages and killed about 1,200 individuals when it attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, triggering the regional struggle.

At the very least 47,500 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive, in keeping with Gaza’s Hamas-run well being ministry. About two-thirds of Gaza’s buildings have been broken or destroyed by Israel’s assaults, the UN says.

Extra reporting by Thanyarat Doksone.