Released Thai hostages who were taken during a deadly Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 pose holding Thai national flags in Israel, 30 January 2025 Photo: Embassy of Thailand in Tel Aviv/ Reuters
One of the Thai citizens released in January as part of a hostage swap deal was ill-treated by Hamas militants. According to Israel’s Channel 12, the terrorists knocked out his teeth by hitting him with a weapon.
After his return from captivity, the victim underwent rehabilitation at the Shamir Medical Centre (Be’er Yaakov ) in Israel. Official sources confirmed that Israel will continue to fund the Thai national’s further treatment in his home country.
Assistance to released hostages
In total, five Thai citizens were released from captivity in January:
- Tenna Pongsak (36),
- Sathian Suwannakkham (35),
- Sriaun Watchara (33),
- Siatao Bannawat (27 years old),
- Rumnao Surazak (32 years old).
They returned home together with Israeli hostages Arbel Yehud and Gadi Moses, as well as IDF observer Agam Berger, who had been released a few hours earlier.
Financial support for those released from prison
In addition to medical care, the Israeli government decided to pay a monthly financial assistance to the released Thai citizens in the amount of 9,000 shekels (approximately USD 2,400).
The militants’ brutal treatment of hostages once again highlights Hamas’ inhumane methods and the risks to foreign workers caught in the middle of the conflict.
