How did Thai hostages end up in Hamas captivity following October 7?

Among the seven hostages released by Hamas this week were five Thai nationals who had moved to Israel for work.

Thai hostages holding their national flag after crossing from Gaza into Israel following their release on Thursday. Credit: Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs handout/EPA

When Hamas released its third batch of hostages this week, it included five people from Thailand, the country to suffer the most casualties, behind Israel, from the October 7 attack.

The five Thai nationals — who had been held captive by Hamas since the attack in 2023 — and two Israeli hostages were released after nearly 16 months in Palestinian captivity.

The Thais have been identified as Thenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakhan, Sriaoun Watchara, Seathao Bannawat and Rumnao Surasak.

The release was the third such exchange in the first phase of an Israeli-Hamas hostage release and ceasefire deal that came into effect on 19 January.

As part of the exchange, Israel released 110 Palestinian prisoners.

Thai hostages escorted by Hamas militants were handed over to the Red Cross in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on 30 January. Source: AP / Jehad Alshrafi/AP

What were the Thai hostages doing in Israel on October 7?

The Thai nationals were captured when Hamas militants burst through the border fence on 7 October 2023 as they were working on Israeli farms near Gaza.

Israel relies on migrant workers from Asia to sustain its workforce, especially in the agricultural, healthcare, and construction sectors.

At least 10 Nepali agricultural students were killed by Hamas while on an 'earn and learn' program in Israel. Two Filipino healthcare workers were also killed.

But Thailand recorded the highest number of casualties, behind Israel, from the Hamas attack.

Under a migrant worker program established by the governments of Israel and Thailand in 2012, an estimated 30,000 Thai nationals were in Israel when Hamas attacked, with around 5,000 of them working on farms near the Gaza border.

The workers predominantly come from rural provinces in Thailand, and can make up to $2,000 a month in Israel, significantly higher wages than they could earn in Thailand.

Reuters has reported that according to Thailand's foreign affairs ministry, 46 Thais have been killed in the conflict and 30 were taken hostage in the October 7 attack.

During a ceasefire in November 2023, 23 Thai nationals were among more than 100 hostages released.

Israel bombarded Gaza for 15 months following Hamas' October 7 attack in which some 1,200 people were killed and over 200 hostages taken, according to the Israeli government.

More than 47,000 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

The October 7 attack was a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Hamas.