Govt trying to secure release of 20 more Thai hostages after 10 freed by Hamas on Friday

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2023
Govt trying to secure release of 20 more Thai hostages after 10 freed by Hamas on Friday

The government will continue its efforts to secure the release of 20 Thai nationals still being held hostage by Hamas, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said.

While on a mission in Sa Kaew province on Saturday, the premier, who also holds the Finance portfolio, thanked all relevant parties, including the Foreign Ministry and the Royal Thai Armed Forces, for securing the release of 10 Thai hostages on Friday.

Nine Thai men and one woman were released by the militant group under a ceasefire deal with Israel. The group was immediately taken to the Shamir Medical Centre in Be'er Ya'akov in Israel for treatment.

Srettha said Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara and Defence Forces chief General Songwit Noonpakdee will personally fly to Israel to bring the group home.

However, he did not confirm the date of the group’s arrival as some of them had sustained injuries and needed treatment.

The Foreign Ministry believes 20 more Thais are being held hostage in Gaza. Earlier reports said that Hamas had taken 26 Thai nationals.

Srettha added that the government was negotiating with several foreign authorities, including Iran, to secure the release of Thai hostages. Iran’s deputy foreign minister is currently on an official visit to Thailand.

“The government cannot reveal all details of the discussion due to security reasons, but will update the public whenever we can,” the premier said. “The top priority is to secure the release of 20 Thai hostages as soon as possible.”

Thailand Web Stat