Hamas Set to Release Five Thai Hostages in Upcoming Exchange, Israeli Official Says

[webfact]

File photo for reference only. Courtesy: MGR online

 

In the latest development regarding the ongoing hostage crisis, an Israeli official confirmed Wednesday that Hamas is set to release five Thai nationals in a planned hostage exchange scheduled for Thursday.

 

While the official did not disclose the names of the Thai nationals, it was confirmed that the release is part of a broader ceasefire agreement aimed at halting the conflict in Gaza.

 

The release of the Thai hostages comes as part of a larger deal which also includes the freeing of three Israelis, among them two women and an elderly man, though the Thai nationals remain the focal point in this particular exchange.

 

The names and details of the Israeli hostages, including Arbel Yehoud, 29, Agam Berger, 19, and Gadi Mozes, 80, have been publicly confirmed following the approval of their families.

 

This release marks a significant moment in the midst of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, offering a brief pause in the conflict while hundreds of hostages, including the Thai workers, await their freedom.

The release process reflects a broader international push for peace talks and the negotiation of hostages in exchange for political agreements.

 

The Thai nationals were among those captured during Hamas’ assault on various locations, including the kibbutz of Nir Oz, which housed many Thai workers.

 

The devastation wreaked by these attacks has left many families torn apart, and the upcoming release offers a glimmer of hope for the hostages and their families.

 

As ceasefire agreements continue to evolve, international stakeholders, including Israel, Egypt, and Jordan, are closely monitoring these exchanges, which provide an essential lifeline for hostages caught in the crossfire of this long-standing conflict, reported AP via Khaosod.

 

-- 2025-01-30

 

 

[Neeranam]

@bina Have you any information about this? I remember you work in a Kibbutz with Thais. 

[MikeandDow]

And What did the Thai goverment do to help the release !! Nothing!!! same as the Thai fisherman in myanmar nothing!!

[Neeranam]

19 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

And What did the Thai goverment do to help the release !! Nothing!!! same as the Thai fisherman in myanmar nothing!!

The Thai government did a lot to aid the release of over 20 hostages. 

The foreign minister went to Cairo. The PM had talks with Iran. 

 

As for Burma, there's a lot going on diplomatically between the two countries at the moment and also because of historical things. Do you remember what the Thai Navy did to the Burmese refugee boats back 15 years ago?  Most Thais, including me want the PM to be more like Trump in kicking out the illegal immigrants from Burma! Just look on social media. 

[MikeandDow]

15 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

The Thai government did a lot to aid the release of over 20 hostages. 

The foreign minister went to Cairo. The PM had talks with Iran. 

 

As for Burma, there's a lot going on diplomatically between the two countries at the moment and also because of historical things. Do you remember what the Thai Navy did to the Burmese refugee boats back 15 years ago?  Most Thais, including me want the PM to be more like Trump in kicking out the illegal immigrants from Burma! Just look on social media. 

If you want a PM more like Trump you should Kick out this wimp of a goverment and elect a new one !! but Thais wont !! if Trump was in charge he would have sent in troop to get the fisherman !!  thats all Thais do talk, form a commitee and do nothing !! The thai goverment is a laughing stock in the world !!

and if you think kickingout the immigrants is the right thing who is going to do the work ?? not thais they doing get of there backsides ! more fool you

[Caldera]

It's shameful that they didn't release the Thai hostages right away, as they have nothing to do with the underlying conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. 

[Neeranam]

22 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

The thai goverment is a laughing stock in the world !!

please clarify this statement -  "THE laughing stock OF the world". 

[Neeranam]

16 minutes ago, Caldera said:

It's shameful that they didn't release the Thai hostages right away, as they have nothing to do with the underlying conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. 

I question why Thais would want to work in such a dangerous country, that discriminates so much against them and other ethnic groups. 

[MikeandDow]

29 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

please clarify this statement -  "THE laughing stock OF the world". 

is this all you can come up with ?? pathetic

[MikeandDow]

11 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I question why Thais would want to work in such a dangerous country, that discriminates so much against them and other ethnic groups. 

because Thais are greedy !!

[Neeranam]

11 minutes ago, MikeandDow said:

is this all you can come up with ?? pathetic

i meant, can you state why you think this, or if you have any facts to show this?

I've never heard of other countries thinking this of the Thai government, only unhappy, old retirees living here;)  

 

 

[nightfox]

2 hours ago, Neeranam said:

I question why Thais would want to work in such a dangerous country, that discriminates so much against them and other ethnic groups. 

Is this a serious question???.......Obviously they work in these conflict countries because of the high earning income they can make compared working on a farm in Issan.

[Neeranam]

3 minutes ago, nightfox said:

Is this a serious question???.......Obviously they work in these conflict countries because of the high earning income they can make compared working on a farm in Issan.

Yes, it is well documented that Thais are subjected to working many more hours than the local and only get minimum wage. Also, very few days off and no healthcare.

[realfunster]

12 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Yes, it is well documented that Thais are subjected to working many more hours than the local and only get minimum wage. Also, very few days off and no healthcare.

Talk about deflection off the topic…

 

I am delighted to hear this news, they should never have been taken captive in the first place. Assuming all goes to plan, they are very lucky to be making it back in one piece. 

[Bkk Brian]

14 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Yes, it is well documented that Thais are subjected to working many more hours than the local and only get minimum wage. Also, very few days off and no healthcare.

If it's that well documented why have so many gone back? If it's that well documented where is the link to all those claims?

[Bkk Brian]

2 hours ago, Neeranam said:

Yes, it is well documented that Thais are subjected to working many more hours than the local and only get minimum wage. Also, very few days off and no healthcare.

Just for you, some real info not your made up nonsense

 

Working through the trauma, Thai farmhands who survived Oct. 7 return to the fields

When Thon returned to Alumim, Huller was living in Netanya and returning to work at the kibbutz several times a week.

“On the first day I heard he was back, I came, we hugged, we cried together,” said Huller. “He was shaking.” During his first days back, Thon took a wide detour each day on his way to work in the chicken coops, attempting to avoid the area of the cowshed and an adjacent garden where much of the fighting had taken place between Hamas terrorists and Alumim’s security team and outside security forces on October 7.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/working-through-the-trauma-thai-farmhands-who-survived-oct-7-return-to-the-fields/

[Nick Carter icp]

5 hours ago, Neeranam said:

I question why Thais would want to work in such a dangerous country, that discriminates so much against them and other ethnic groups. 

 

   Because they work in better conditions then if they worked in Thailand .

Its better for them to work in Israel than it is for them to work in Thailand  .

   

[Nick Carter icp]

2 hours ago, Neeranam said:

Yes, it is well documented that Thais are subjected to working many more hours than the local and only get minimum wage. Also, very few days off and no healthcare.

 

   Thais would probably want to get as many hours in as they can , as they are there to work and to earn money 

[Nick Carter icp]

2 hours ago, Neeranam said:

 and no healthcare.

 

   That doesn't seem to be true .

Israel law states that ALL employers MUST provide health insurance for employees, even if they are working  illegally 

[bkkniko]

Read about the Thailand-Israel Employment Cooperation (TIC). They are treated very well, and some make even more money than the local Israelis who work at factories for minimum wage. Thai farmers agree by themself to work OT, no one is forcing them. 

 

I am also speaking from an experience as someone who lived in Israel with my Thai wife; we visited some places where they work because in some places where they work, there are also Thai stores nearby, and my wife used to buy Thai products there.

 

I spoke with a random Thai farmer regarding his salary, and he said it is around 80k-120k baht a month. 

 

They also get discounts from the Thai stores over there.

 

As for healthcare, there is healthcare that employer provides access to, it's required by law.

 

[Neeranam]

On one farm, the workers slept in cardboard boxes inside a shed. Other laborers said they had been treated “like slaves.” Five years later, data collected by Kav LaOved showed that 83 percent of migrant workers from Thailand were being paid less than the minimum wage. And in 2022, the US State Department said traffickers were subjecting Thais in Israel to forced labor by coercive measures such as withholding their passports. 

https://www.thenation.com/article/world/the-invisible-lives-of-israels-thai-workforce/

[jori123]

5 hours ago, realfunster said:

Talk about deflection off the topic…

 

I am delighted to hear this news, they should never have been taken captive in the first place. Assuming all goes to plan, they are very lucky to be making it back in one piece. 

Hamas,thick stupid sods,guns galore,towels covering their stupid heads, highlight of their gormless lives releasing few hostages.they want bombing to kingdom come,flatten them two or three times over again

[PomPolo]

9 hours ago, Caldera said:

It's shameful that they didn't release the Thai hostages right away, as they have nothing to do with the underlying conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. 

I don't think the terrorists got the memo

[PomPolo]

4 minutes ago, jori123 said:

Hamas,thick stupid sods,guns galore,towels covering their stupid heads, highlight of their gormless lives releasing few hostages.they want bombing to kingdom come,flatten them two or three times over again

With Israels newly released (by trump) 2000 2000lb bombs should hopefully happen if they beat around the bush any more with this BS

[bkkniko]

43 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

On one farm, the workers slept in cardboard boxes inside a shed. Other laborers said they had been treated “like slaves.” Five years later, data collected by Kav LaOved showed that 83 percent of migrant workers from Thailand were being paid less than the minimum wage. And in 2022, the US State Department said traffickers were subjecting Thais in Israel to forced labor by coercive measures such as withholding their passports. 

https://www.thenation.com/article/world/the-invisible-lives-of-israels-thai-workforce/

You might be right. I am just speaking from an experience on the farms that I have been to. (South)

 

Just don't understand why Thais would tolerate such treatment from the employer, including passport withholding.

 

And obviously, such employers who treat foreign workers that way should be jailed and their land/farm taken.

 

Hopefully, the Israeli government will take more action.

 

 

[bannork]

Fantastic news, wonder what happened to the 6th hostage. Hopefully he is still alive.

Regarding going to Israel, surely everyone including Neeranam knows they go to save money.

There are many success stories, some make enough money to build a house and buy some farmland, others have bad luck and end up cheated, saving nothing.

What they need now apart from their families is a meal of papaya salad, grilled chicken and sticky rice, washed down with a cold Sing or Leo.

And some morlam music! แม่นบ่.

[Patong2021]

10 hours ago, Neeranam said:

The Thai government did a lot to aid the release of over 20 hostages. 

The foreign minister went to Cairo. The PM had talks with Iran. 

 

As for Burma, there's a lot going on diplomatically between the two countries at the moment and also because of historical things. Do you remember what the Thai Navy did to the Burmese refugee boats back 15 years ago?  Most Thais, including me want the PM to be more like Trump in kicking out the illegal immigrants from Burma! Just look on social media. 

 Pretend that they are Palestinians and you can greet them with hugs and kisses.

[MangoKorat]

Did anyone watch the palava regarding the release? I'm surprised that anyone got out alive - Hamas had little control of the crowds and they were messing around for hours.  It must have been an extremely worrying time for the hostages.

[Neeranam]

7 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

Did anyone watch the palava regarding the release? I'm surprised that anyone got out alive - Hamas had little control of the crowds and they were messing around for hours.  It must have been an extremely worrying time for the hostages.

Indeed, but nice to see the hostages being released and looking in fit condition and smiling/waving.

Different story with the Palestinian captives, including children, that have been released. 

[Nick Carter icp]

12 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Indeed, but nice to see the hostages being released and looking in fit condition and smiling/waving.

Different story with the Palestinian captives, including children, that have been released. 

 

   Cannot read too much into that .

Previous Hamas hostages were told how to behave upon release by their captors .

   I doubt whether Israel would have forced their prisoners how to behave upon release