Bangkok: Five former Thai hostages released by Hamas arrived in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, on Sunday. The former hostages were greeted by relatives at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

According to Anadolu Agency, the individuals, identified as Watchara Srioun, Pongsak Thaenna, Sathien Suwankham, Surasak Lamnao, and Bannawat Saetao, had been working in Israel before their capture. Their return marks a significant moment for their families and the Thai community.

A Thai government official stated that approximately 30,000 Thais were working in Israel at the time of the outbreak of the conflict. These workers were evacuated when hostilities with Hamas began in the first week of 2023. However, one Thai national remains in captivity, and Bangkok is actively collaborating with international partners to secure his release.

On January 30, the Thai Foreign Minister confirmed the successful release of the five hostages from Gaza. The Foreign Minister conveyed "deep appreciation" to the mediators who played a crucial role in the negotiations for the release of the Thai citizens, who had been held since October 7, 2023.