Two Thai hostages, held captive by Hamas, are believed to have died during the days immediately following the Hamas attacks on Israeli last October, Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman for the Thai Foreign Ministry, said today.
He said the ministry has been informed by the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv that the Israeli Government committee, assessing the situation of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, had obtained credible circumstantial evidence suggesting that the Thai hostages, Sonthaya Akkarasi and Sutthisak Rinthalak, died in October last year.
He expressed condolences to their loved ones, adding that they have been contacted by the ministry and officials are arranging support for them.
Nikorndej repeated the Thai Government’s appeal to Hamas to release all remaining hostages, including six Thais, and the government’s call for all parties in the conflict to try their utmost to end the conflict through negotiation. He also called for a resolution to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is currently on the European leg of his overseas trip, said in an “X” post that he was saddened by the apparent loss of the two Thai hostages.
He also instructed the Foreign Ministry and Thai embassy in Tel Aviv to provide help to the families of the two deceased. He added that his government will continue to explore all channels to securing the release of the remaining hostages.
