In this photo provided by Thailand's Foreign Ministry, ten of freed Thai hostages and an officer, fourth from left, pose for a photo at the Shamir Medical Center in Israel Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Hamas freed 10 Thai nationals seized in the group’s surprise attack on southern Israel last month, releasing them alongside Israeli hostages who were part of the first swap under a new cease-fire deal. - (Thailand's Foreign Ministry via AP )
BANGKOK: Vetoon Phoome's family feared the Thai farm worker had been killed by Hamas in last month's attack on Israel, until they learned on Saturday he had been free as a hostage in Gaza.
"He told me not to cry, to tell mother I’m coming back," Roongarun Wichagern told Reuters of her younger brother after an emotional reunion on a video call.
