Top Thai officials visit freed Thai hostages recovering in hospital

Senior Thai officials including Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Ambassador to Israel Pannabha Chandraramya visit the five Thai nationals who were released by Hamas on Thursday after 15 months in captivity.

The five, Pongsak Thenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Seathao and Surasak Lamnau, are being treated at the Shamir Medical Center.

During the meeting, the freed hostages also spoke by video conference with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

“The Prime Minister conveyed her best wishes to our nationals, and instructed our teams at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue coordinating closely with the relevant officials to ensure all five nationals undergo the relevant health checkups and can return home promptly and safely to their families in Thailand,” says Sangiampongsa in a post on X.

During my visit to Shamir Medical Center, I was delighted to meet all five of our Thai nationals and attend an online meeting with PM @ingshin, during which we were pleased to be informed that they are in good mental and physical condition. The Prime Minister conveyed her best… pic.twitter.com/ugAXdie3zf

— Maris Sangiampongsa (@AmbPoohMaris) February 1, 2025