Wiwaew Sri-uan, mother of Thai hostage Watchara Sri-uan, reacting with her relative as her son was released from Gaza on Jan 30. - Reuters
BANGKOK: Udon Thani natives Watchara Sri-uan and Surasak Lamnao are among five Thai hostages released on Thursday (Jan 30) after being detained for more than a year since the Hamas raids on Israel on Oct 7, 2023.
The elated parents of Watchara – Tom and Wiwaew Sri-uan – said they would not allow their son to work abroad again.
Wiwaew said that she had received the good news about Watchara’s release from her granddaughter on Jan 29.
The parents of Surasak – Chanda Prachanan and Khammee Lamnao – could not contain their happiness after hearing the good news. Khammee said she wants to meet her son at the airport, so she can give him a big hug.
She said through all these painful months, she always believed that her son was alive. She thanked officials for their encouragement and Hamas for releasing her son.
Viras Tanna, father of Buri Ram native Phongsak Tanna who is one of five hostages released on Jan 30, said he was so happy that he could not sleep.
He said that he had followed up with several agencies and media outlets, hoping that his son was still alive as there was no official confirmation.
Sarayut Thongsri from Buri Ram Provincial Labour Office revealed that five Buri Ram natives had died and three others were still detained.
Phongsak is the third hostage released, following two Buri Ram natives who had been released earlier, Sarayut said, adding that 809 Buri Ram natives still worked in Israel. - The Nation/ANN
