Tel Aviv: The Foreign Minister has assured that five Thai hostages will be brought back home once they are in good health. During a visit to Al-Shamir Medical Center, the hostages expressed gratitude for the efforts made to secure their release and provide them with a new lease on life.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Maris Sengiampong, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, led a delegation that included Mr. Rasm Chalichan, Assistant Minister, Ms. Panpa Chandrarom, Ambassador to Tel Aviv, and General Songwit Noonpakdee, Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. They visited the hostages, Mr. Watchara Sri-uan, Mr. Phongsak Tanna, Mr. Sathien Suwannakam, Mr. Surasak Lamnao, and Mr. Banwach Sae-tao, to check on their health and well-being. The medical teams at Al-Shamir Medical Center, supported by the Thai military medical team, have been providing excellent care to the hostages.
Mr. Maris learned that the hostages had been working in Israel for several years. Mr. Sathien Suwannakam, who worked on a chicken farm, had not returned to Thailand for five years. Mr. Phongsak Tanna, a farmer since 2016, had not been home for seven years and missed his daughter, who was seven when he left.
The Foreign Minister commended the hostages for their resilience and encouraged them to apply the agricultural knowledge they acquired in Israel upon their return to Thailand. The government places importance on this initiative, and the Prime Minister has emphasized the need for the hostages to be in good health before returning home.
Mr. Maris expressed his desire for the hostages to share their experiences and knowledge with Thai farmers and to serve as role models for their families. He urged them to maintain their family's pride and contribute positively to society.
Mr. Wutthichai Sri-uan and Mr. Surasak Lamnao were grateful for the chance to start anew, while Mr. Banwach Sae-tao looked forward to reuniting with his family. The Minister stressed the importance of thorough health evaluations, including mental health assessments, before repatriation.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with Israeli authorities to ensure a smooth return, with airline tickets already secured for the hostages. The Ministry remains committed to preparing for their return once all health assessments are complete.