Hopes have risen that 23 Thai nationals being held hostage in Gaza could return home after it was reported they are set to be released by Hamas without conditions.
Thai officials are yet to confirm the development, which was reported by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news site on Friday.
At least 26 Thai nationals are being held by Hamas, while 39 Thai nationals have been killed, according to Thai officials. Three people remain in hospital.
Thousands of Thais worked in Israel’s agricultural sector prior to 7 October, and the Israeli government has said they make up the biggest group of foreign people killed or missing in the Hamas attacks.
The purported release is not related to the recent deal reached by Israel and Hamas to hand over dozens of Israeli hostages as well as Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, the report by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed said.
Over recent weeks, Thai government representatives have met officials in Qatar and Egypt, and last month travelled to Tehran to hold talks with Hamas in an effort to secure hostages’ release.
Areepen Uttarasin, a lead negotiator, said at the time that he had stressed the innocence of Thai nationals, and had been assured that they were being looked after.
Neighbouring Malaysia, which is a vocal supporter of Palestine and does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, has also taken part in the effort to get the Thai hostages released.
Sunan Chombua, whose son Komkrit Chombua, 29, was among those abducted, said he felt hopeful, but that no update had been given by Thai officials.
“Me and my wife are praying to hear good news,” he said. He had not received any communication from the Thai government, even after it was reported earlier this week that a deal had been reached by Israel and Hamas to release 50 hostages during a 4-day ceasefire, he said. “It’s quiet, no update. I haven’t had any update about my son, even from his friends or anywhere else.”
Komkrit, from Surin province, moved from his home in rural Thailand four years ago to work in Israel, and was initially employed in agriculture and later construction. He would send money back home to his family, and his wages helped his parents to build a new home.
On 7 October, a photograph shared online showed Komkri sitting on the floor, head bowed, among a group of hostages taken by Hamas.
Sunan said he was waiting for more information. “I wish they could release all Thai hostages,” he said.
Prior to the war, 30,000 Thai workers were employed in Israel, with about 5,000 working in areas close to the Gaza Strip. Many Thais move from poorer, rural areas of Thailand to work Israel, where the wages are several times higher.
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it welcomed deal that was agreed between Israel and Hamas earlier this week that will allow for the release of 50 women and children hostages held in Gaza in return for 150 Palestinian women and children who would be freed from Israeli jails during a four-day ceasefire.
“Thailand fervently hopes that this momentum can be maintained so that the remaining hostages, which include Thai nationals, are released at the earliest opportunity. Thailand reiterates our strong call toward that end,” the ministry said.
Kanchana Patarachoke, spokesperson for Thailand’s ministry of foreign affairs, said on Thursday that Thailand had not receive any information regarding whether Thais would be released as part of the deal struck between Israel and Hamas, the Bangkok Post reported.
There is only one woman among the Thai hostages, Kanchana said.
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