The remains of eight of the Thai nationals killed in the Hamas attack on Israel arrived at Suvarnabhumi international airport this morning (Friday). After a brief religious ceremony, they were handed over to their grieving families.

Thirty-one Thais have were killed in the attacks in Israel and 16 were injured. 17 others are still being held hostage by Hamas.

All except one of the dead flown back today were residents of north-eastern provinces. One was a native of the northern province of Sukhothai.

The families of those killed will each receive 40,000 baht in compensation from the Israeli government. Labour Permanent Secretary Pairoj Chotikasathien said that officials will be contacting the families to inform them of their rights to compensation and to facilitate their claims.

Sompit Intarawiset, the mother of Anucha, who was killed, said that her son, the eldest of three children, completed his studies as a mechanic at a college, but went to Israel to work on an avocado plantation, earning about 40,000 baht per month.

She said she is unsure precisely when she first heard that her son had been killed, but it was officially confirmed by the authorities.

Another mother said her late son had sent money home for the family to build a house and the last gift from him was an electric motorcycle.