Sarusak Rumnao, 32, Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, and Bannawat Saethao, 27, were embraced by relatives in the arrival hall at Bangkok's international airport.
All five were abducted in connection with the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which marked the beginning of the war. They were released by Hamas on January 30 as part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel.
I don't think I want him to be far from home again, says Somboon Saethao to AFP about his son Bannawat.
Since then, they have spent a few days at a hospital in Tel Aviv before returning to Thailand. Four of them have been accompanied by a relative in Israel.
31 Thai citizens were kidnapped during the attack in southern Israel, many of whom worked as agricultural workers. One Thai citizen is believed to still be among the hostages held in Gaza.
During an earlier ceasefire in Gaza, in November 2023, 23 Thai citizens were released in an agreement negotiated between Thailand and Hamas, with the help of mediation from Qatar and Iran.
46 Thai citizens have been killed in the conflict, according to the Thai Foreign Ministry.
