Tianchai Yotthongdee, 34: Father of 2 documented farm life online
Murdered by Hamas terrorists in Kibbutz Alumim on October 7
Tianchai Yotthongdee, 34, an agricultural laborer from the Buri Ram province in northeastern Thailand, was murdered by Hamas terrorists on October 7 in Kibbutz Alumim.
When the rocket fire began, Tianchai and most of the other Thai workers ran for their nearby bomb shelter.
Hearing voices outside, they thought they were IDF soldiers, but they soon realized that they were Hamas terrorists. One Thai survivor from Alumim told Human Rights Watch that a Hamas member asked one of them where he was from, and “when the guy said he was Thai and not the boss, the soldiers just started shooting nonstop while shouting, ‘Allahu akbar!’”
Another survivor said that before one of the terrorists threw a grenade into their living quarters, he shouted, “Hello Thailand,” and then in Hebrew, “You like to work so hard, now you will die.”
In total, 22 Thai and Nepalese workers were killed in Alumim that day, including Ashish Chaudhary, Thawatchai Saetao and cousins Dua and Somchai Sae-yang, while others were kidnapped to Gaza.
Tianchai posted on Facebook on October 7, 2023, at 8:53 a.m.: “May the power of the Great Buddha protect and keep all Thai people safe, amen.” That was his final post.
His family was informed of his death on October 18. His body was not returned to Thailand for his funeral until November 16.
He is survived by his wife, Narisara Malee, their two children, ages 11 and 7, and his parents, Thanakorn and Ranjan.
His family said he had been working in agriculture in Israel for more than two years, making much more money than he would at home, and sending most of his earnings back to support his family.
A day before the attack, Tianchai posted photos and videos of himself and his friends – including Somchai – eating together, singing and goofing around at Alumim, writing, “I’m just relaxing on my day off.”
On September 25, 2023, Yom Kippur, he posted a photo of Thai workers hanging out and wrote, “holiday meeting.” He regularly posted to Facebook and TikTok documenting his life working on the farm as well as relaxing and exploring Israel on weekends.
His wife, Narisara, wrote on Facebook on the day his death was confirmed: “We’ve been together in sorrow and happiness for a long time. Thank you for being a good father and a good head of the family who always takes care of us and sacrifices for us.”
The day after his funeral ceremony, she shared a photo of his shrine online and wrote: “All that’s left is for you to take your place. How am I going to continue our dreams all by myself?”
