Hostages return home to families’ happy tears

Emotional reunion: Natthaporn Onkaew reacting as he arrives at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Samut Prakarn. (Top) Nattawaree embracing her family after arriving in Khon Kaen. — Reuters

THAI hostages freed after weeks being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip spoke of their relief after returning to Bangkok, where they were welcomed home by overjoyed relatives.

Seventeen Thais flew back on Thursday from Israel after Bangkok’s foreign ministry and Thai Muslim groups worked to negotiate their release.