Free men arrive at home with tears of joy in Bangkok

Five workers from Thai farms, released from Hamas in Gaza last month, arrived at home in Bangkok after spending nearly 500 days captured.

Pongsak Thaenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Srouin, Bannawat Saethao and Surasak Lamnao worked in southern Israel when they were abducted during Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023

There were emotional scenes on Sunday morning, as the five men were hugged by tear relatives at the Airport’s arrival hall in Bangkok Suvarnbhumi.

“I don’t know how to express it in words,” said hostage hostage, Pongsak.

“I would like to thank all the employees who participated in helping us until we are standing here.

“We wouldn’t be here without helping us. We are very touching and we are very glad that we returned to our homeland. I am really grateful.”

Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said it was “very inspiring” to witness their return After their release on January 30S

Sombon Saetao, the father of G -n banava, said he was “so happy” and that his family would welcome his son at home with a traditional Thai ceremony.

“I don’t think I want him to be away from home,” his father told AFP.

Bannawat moved to Israel nine months before his abduction in search of a better income for the family, he added.

His wife Viada Saetao told BBC Thai reporters that her husband was hostage to the 15th months of suffering.

“Don’t be afraid anymore. We’re home now. We’re in Thailand. We’re back home,” she said.

After landing in Bangkok at 07:30 local time (00:30 GMT), the five were greeted by a small group of pleased relatives and government officials.

They had spent 10 days in an Israeli hospital for their health to be monitored.

The five men will already make their way to their home cities.

Boonsong Tapchaiyut, an employee of the Ministry of Labor, said each hostage will receive a one-time payment of about £ 14,510 (600,000 Thai Bat), along with a monthly salary of 725 pounds to 80 years to ensure, to ensure, that they do not have to return to return to Israel.

A Thai hostage remains inseparable for.

“For the sixth Thai hostage, who still remains in Gaza, we never refrain from actions, we still have hope and will do whatever we can,” said Thai Foreign Minister.

Last month, after the broadcast of the five hostages to Khan Enisis, Thailand Prime Minister Paathongarn Shinatar said he was “delighted” that they were out of captivity.

She thanked Israel, as well as Qatar, Egypt, Iran, Turkey and the United States for their work to secure the editions.

A total of 46 Thai workers have been killed since October 2023, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok, the majority in the attack of Hamas and Some of the rockets fired from the Hezbollah group in LebanonS

Hamas seized 251 hostages and killed about 1,200 people when he attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, triggering the war in Gaza.

At least 47,500 Palestinians were killed in Israel’s offensive, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. About two -thirds of Gaza’s buildings were damaged or destroyed by Israel’s attacks, UN says.

The release of Thai hostages is not part of the Israeli-Hama fire termination deal on January 19, under which 21 Israeli hostages and 566 Palestinian prisoners have been released so far.

By the end of the first stage of fire termination, 33 hostages and 1900 prisoners are expected to be released after three weeks. Israel says eight out of 33 are dead.

Additional reporting from Thanyarat Doksone.