Hamas releases another four Thai hostages

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Four Thai nationals held hostage in the Gaza Strip by Palestinian group Hamas were released on Wednesday (local time) and are being treated at Shamir Medical Centre Hospital (Assaf Harofeh) in Israel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today.

The ministry quoted the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv’s report as saying that the fifth batch of Thai hostages reached the hospital safely. They were named as Phaiboon Ratnin, Kong Saelao, Jakkaphan Sikhena and Chalermchai Sangkaew.

Hamas releases another four Thai hostages

The four men will undergo medical check-ups as per protocol before being brought back home, said the ministry, adding that their relatives have already been notified.

On November 24, Hamas released the first group of 10 Thai hostages under a ceasefire deal with Israel. Under the terms of the truce, some Palestinians will be freed from detention in Israel while Hamas will release people it has taken hostage.

The ministry estimates that nine more Thais are still being held hostage by the Hamas.