Seventeen of the 32 Thai nationals taken hostage by Hamas during their attack on Israel on October 7, and who were released this week, arrived in Bangkok this afternoon. They are the first of the Thai hostages returning home.

They were accompanied on their journey by Thailand’s Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, who had traveled to Tel Aviv.

One of the Thais told reporters that they had kept their spirits up while being detained by Hamas, adding that their captors had treated them well, to a certain extent given the circumstances, and they could not describe it as bad.

Parnpree said he took the opportunity of being in Israel to meet senior Israeli government officials, thanking them for their hospitality, for taking care of the Thai nationals and for the role they played in negotiating with Hamas to secure the release of the Thais.

He did say, however, that there is no reliable intelligence on the whereabouts or wellbeing of those who remain in captivity. By yesterday, 23 Thais had been released, while nine others are still being held by Hamas.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is currently in Chiang Mai province, used a video-conference call to speak to the returning Thai nationals. He told them that the government has been and is still doing its utmost to secure the freedom of Thais taken hostage.

Parnpree said that a second group of six Thais, released by the Palestinians, is expected to be home in the near future.

A representative of the Thai nationals expressed their gratitude to the prime minister, the foreign minister and all parties concerned. He also asked everybody to stand and observe a minute’s silence in remembrance of the 39 Thai people who died in Israel or Gaza last month.