Latest news with #WatcharaSriaoun
Reuters
17-02-2025
- Reuters
Tearful homecoming for one Thai national held hostage by Hamas
After nearly 500 days as a hostage in Gaza, Thai national Watchara Sriaoun is overjoyed to finally be home, after his release as part of the latest ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. He spoke to Reuters about his ordeal, and described his newfound freedom as "being reborn". Diane To reports.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tearful homecoming for one Thai national held hostage by Hamas
STORY: Nearly 500 days after he was taken hostage by Hamas militants from southern Israel, Watchara Sriaoun is reunited with his family, in their hometown of Kut Yang in northeastern Thailand. 'For more than 15 months, I could only pray to be reunited with my family, with my relatives, with everyone," he told his church, alongside his parents and daughter. Watchara and his brother went to work in an Israeli kibbutz in 2020, despite worries about risks of a regional conflict. "I had to go. I wanted my family to have a better life, and I wanted my daughter to get an education." Working as farmers, they sent the equivalent of about $1,500 home every month. But on October 7, 2023, Watchara was taken hostage by Hamas militants. "They took my phone. They started shooting, so I raised my hands and said, 'Thailand, Thailand.' Then, they took my phone and then surrounded me." Watchara said while in captivity, some days there was enough to eat and drink; other days, barely anything. He also said he was repeatedly told he would be released soon. Except that never happened - until early February, following the latest ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. When he was finally freed, Watchara described seeing gardens and fields from a helicopter, after more than a year of confinement. "It felt like I was reborn," he said. Before the conflict, about 30,000 Thai laborers worked in Israel's agriculture sector, making them one of the largest migrant worker groups in the country. During the October 7 attack, Hamas gunmen killed 41 Thais and kidnapped 30 Thai laborers. The first group of Thai hostages was returned late November, 2023. ::Ratana Sriaoun More than a year later, Watchara's mother is overjoyed that he finally made it home. "We have been waiting for this for a long time. It's a miracle—something many thought would never happen." For Watchara, all he wants to do now is reconnect with his daughter, and support his aging parents.
Associated Press
09-02-2025
- Associated Press
Five Thai workers released after being held hostage for over a year in Gaza arrived in Bangkok on Sunday. Sarusak Rumnao, 32, Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, and Bannawat Saethao, 27, were freed on Jan. 30 as part of a an exchange arrangement. They were embraced by family members, some of whom cried, in the arrivals hall at Suvarnabhumi airport.
Video Five Thai hostages return home after release from captivity in Gaza last month Five Thai workers released after being held hostage for over a year in Gaza arrived in Bangkok on Sunday. Sarusak Rumnao, 32, Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, and Bannawat Saethao, 27, were freed on Jan. 30 as part of a an exchange arrangement. They were embraced by family members, some of whom cried, in the arrivals hall at Suvarnabhumi airport.
CNN
09-02-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Released Thai hostages return to Bangkok after being held for over a year in Gaza
Five Thai workers released after being held hostage for over a year in Gaza arrived in Bangkok on Sunday. Sarusak Rumnao, 32, Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, and Bannawat Saethao, 27, were freed on January 30 as part of an exchange arrangement. They were embraced by family members, some of whom cried, in the arrivals hall at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and the Israeli Ambassador to Thailand Orna Sagiv were both at the airport to welcome home the freed hostages. 'We are all very grateful and very happy that we get to return to our homeland. We all would really like to thank you. I don't know what else to say,' Pongsak told a news conference at the airport. Maris said the Thai government 'never gave up hope and here is the result today. The tears of joy are our encouragement.' He added that Bangkok would continue working to secure the release of the remaining Thai hostage. The group quickly left the news conference to return to their hometowns in Thailand's northern and northeastern regions. They were the second batch of Thai hostages released since the war broke out. During an earlier ceasefire in November 2023, 23 Thai nationals were released in a deal negotiated between Thailand and Hamas, with assistance from Qatar and Iran.
Egypt Independent
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Released Thai hostages return to Bangkok after being held for over a year in Gaza
Bangkok AP — Five Thai workers released after being held hostage for over a year in Gaza arrived in Bangkok on Sunday. Sarusak Rumnao, 32, Watchara Sriaoun, 33, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, and Bannawat Saethao, 27, were freed on January 30 as part of an exchange arrangement. They were embraced by family members, some of whom cried, in the arrivals hall at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and the Israeli Ambassador to Thailand Orna Sagiv were both at the airport to welcome home the freed hostages. 'We are all very grateful and very happy that we get to return to our homeland. We all would really like to thank you. I don't know what else to say,' Pongsak told a news conference at the airport. Maris said the Thai government 'never gave up hope and here is the result today. The tears of joy are our encouragement.' He added that Bangkok would continue working to secure the release of the remaining Thai hostage. The group quickly left the news conference to return to their hometowns in Thailand's northern and northeastern regions. They were the second batch of Thai hostages released since the war broke out. During an earlier ceasefire in November 2023, 23 Thai nationals were released in a deal negotiated between Thailand and Hamas, with assistance from Qatar and Iran.
