Vilas Thanna, the father of Ponsak Thanna, a Thai fruit farmer who was held hostage to Gaza, barely managed to eliminate the words while digesting the news of the release of his son after 15 months of captivity.
“When we are happy, we cry,” he said. “When we are sad, we also cry. But these are happy tears. “
Mr. Ponsak was among the five Thai hostages that were released on Thursday. Working in the farms in often dangerous parts of Israel, the Thai agricultural hands suffered a strong tribute in the attacks led by Hamas of 7 October 2023. At least 39 were killed and at least 31 were taken hostage, according to a previous counting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Thai.
In November 2023, 23 of these hostages were released. Two others died in captivity, said the Thai foreign ministry last May. (Thursday evening, an official of the Tree Nasse Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that the total deaths were 46, but it was not clear if that number referred only to the attacks of 7 October.)
The hostages released on Thursday were Mr. Ponsak, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchra Sriaoun, Bannawat Seathao and Surasak Lamoo. The fate of a remaining Thai hostage, Nattapong Pinta, is not clear.
Mr. Vilas, the father of Mr. Ponsak, said he planned to go to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, to meet the plane he transported his son, although the costs can be prohibitive.
The Thai hostages in a previous round of releases in November 2023 said they had to initially pay their flights from Bangkok to their provinces of the house. Thai work officials claim to have paid funds for returned workers.
Economic difficulties stimulated thousands of Thai, in particular by the Isaan region in Northern -Eastern Thailand, to hire agricultural jobs in Israel, despite the risks. In addition to those who have lost their lives in the attack of killings of 7 October, other Thai agricultural workers have been killed over the years in missile attacks in Israel, also in October.
But the money earned in Israel can change their lives and villages in Isaan are skirted by modern houses built by these earnings abroad. Some workers who suffered from attacks on October 7th returned to Israel to finish their contracts.
Wawwaeo Sriaoun, mother of Mr. Watchra, another of the five Thai released on Thursday, was gathered at home with a pack of relatives when he heard of his return.
She also spoke of tears of joy. While her family applauded around her, Mrs. Wewo’s voice got up in an excited scream.
“I hope he can go home safely,” he said.
But he wasn’t sure he could afford to go to Bangkok to meet his son.
For now, he said, he was happy to see his son’s name on the TV screen among those who were finally free.