More Thais confirmed abducted by Hamas
October 30, 2023
Three more Thai workers were confirmed to have been taken hostage during the Hamas attack on Israel, raising the total to 22, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on Monday.
Mr Srettha said the Foreign Ministry had confirmation of the three additional abductions.
He was answering reporters' questions at Wing 23 air terminal at the Udon Thani airport, before departing for Laos on an official visit.
The prime minister said the situation in Israel had deteriorated. Israel's retaliatory ground offensive had begun, making it more difficult for people to travel in the conflict area. Thai workers who were still in Israel should quickly contact Thai authorities and register for evacuation, before the situation turns worse.
Thai officials were engaged in talks for the release of the Thai hostages. The armed forces supreme commander had been in Malaysia as part of this process, Mr Srettha said.
Asked whether Thai workers had been targeted by Hamas, Mr Srettha said he did not think so because Thailand was not involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
"We are not a target of any group. We are more like victims of the war. We have been more affected because there are more workers from Thailand in Israel than from other counties," Mr Srettha said.
"So I have tried calling on Thai workers to quickly return home because in this situation travel has become more and more difficult.
"Today I will talk to Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, and get an update of the situation. More people may have to leave, for negotiations," he added.
Asked about Thais who may have been stranded near the Gaza Strip, Mr Srettha admitted some were still listed as missing. "We are assessing the situation. But, with the ground offensive, communications are out, making it more difficult," he said.
Asked about a cabinet minister preparing to go to the Middle East to get hostages released, Mr Srettha said the government was doing everything it could to achieve this goal.
https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/ge ... d-by-hamas
Thais killed, injured, kidnapped, taken hostage in Hamas attack on Israel
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Re: Thais killed, injured, kidnapped, taken hostage in Hamas attack on Israel
Wan Noor’s aides say Hamas promised to release Thai hostages unharmed, but set no dates
by THE NATION
November 2, 2023
Two aides of Parliament President Wan Muhammad Noor Matha said that they have met Hamas representatives and earned their pledge to free Thai hostages soon.
Areepen Uttarasin and Muk Sulaiman, advisor and secretary to Wan Noor, held a press conference on Wednesday to announce their success in negotiating with Hamas representatives in Iran on October 26.
Areepen said Hamas representatives also invited his team to visit the hostages in the Gaza Strip, but the invitation had to be turned down due to safety reasons.
He said his delegation met leading members and representatives of the Iranian government on the following day and the meeting lasted for about two hours.
Areepen said Hamas leaders understood that the talks were being held on behalf of Thailand’s Parliament president and they understood that all Thai Muslims wanted to see the Thai hostages freed. They also recognised the fact that Thailand was not a party to the conflict.
He quoted Hamas representatives as saying that all hostages were being taken good care of, but the group could not set a release date for fear of Israeli attacks.
Areepen said Hamas wanted the hostages to convey to the world that its militants were not cruel. He added that he had handed a list of the 22 Thai hostages to both Iranian and Hamas representatives and that the names were being verified by Iran.
He said he had met senior Palestinian government officials on October 29, including an adviser to the Palestine president, the secretary-general of an Iranian organisation to assist Palestine and the chairman of an organisation to protect Palestinian youths.
All of them have promised to help talk to Hamas to secure the release of Thai hostages, Areepen added.
They said they realised that Thailand was a good friend to Muslim nations.
Areepen said he has learned that the Iranian president has tasked four important figures of his government to talk to Hamas leaders as well.
He also clarified that his delegation was not going above the Thai government but was just lending a hand in the name of the Parliament president.
He said his team chose to discuss the issue with Iran because it has influence over Hamas as a key supporter of the group.
“I believe what was said by Hamas representatives was true. We’re the first group to hold formal talks with Hamas,” Areepen said.
Muk added that his group had to lend weight to the promise made by Hamas representatives as they had bothered to meet the delegation.
“They didn’t have to meet us but they came to meet us, which shows that they are telling the truth when they say Thai hostages are still safe,” Muk said.
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand ... l/40032448
by THE NATION
November 2, 2023
Two aides of Parliament President Wan Muhammad Noor Matha said that they have met Hamas representatives and earned their pledge to free Thai hostages soon.
Areepen Uttarasin and Muk Sulaiman, advisor and secretary to Wan Noor, held a press conference on Wednesday to announce their success in negotiating with Hamas representatives in Iran on October 26.
Areepen said Hamas representatives also invited his team to visit the hostages in the Gaza Strip, but the invitation had to be turned down due to safety reasons.
He said his delegation met leading members and representatives of the Iranian government on the following day and the meeting lasted for about two hours.
Areepen said Hamas leaders understood that the talks were being held on behalf of Thailand’s Parliament president and they understood that all Thai Muslims wanted to see the Thai hostages freed. They also recognised the fact that Thailand was not a party to the conflict.
He quoted Hamas representatives as saying that all hostages were being taken good care of, but the group could not set a release date for fear of Israeli attacks.
Areepen said Hamas wanted the hostages to convey to the world that its militants were not cruel. He added that he had handed a list of the 22 Thai hostages to both Iranian and Hamas representatives and that the names were being verified by Iran.
He said he had met senior Palestinian government officials on October 29, including an adviser to the Palestine president, the secretary-general of an Iranian organisation to assist Palestine and the chairman of an organisation to protect Palestinian youths.
All of them have promised to help talk to Hamas to secure the release of Thai hostages, Areepen added.
They said they realised that Thailand was a good friend to Muslim nations.
Areepen said he has learned that the Iranian president has tasked four important figures of his government to talk to Hamas leaders as well.
He also clarified that his delegation was not going above the Thai government but was just lending a hand in the name of the Parliament president.
He said his team chose to discuss the issue with Iran because it has influence over Hamas as a key supporter of the group.
“I believe what was said by Hamas representatives was true. We’re the first group to hold formal talks with Hamas,” Areepen said.
Muk added that his group had to lend weight to the promise made by Hamas representatives as they had bothered to meet the delegation.
“They didn’t have to meet us but they came to meet us, which shows that they are telling the truth when they say Thai hostages are still safe,” Muk said.
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand ... l/40032448
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Re: Thais killed, injured, kidnapped, taken hostage in Hamas attack on Israel
Thai Embassy Alerts Citizens in Israel to Last Chance for Organized Evacuation
By Goongnang Suksawat
2 November, 2023
The Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has issued a crucial notice to Thai citizens in Israel, highlighting their last opportunity for an organized evacuation.
Following this announcement, concerns have arisen regarding whether the Thai government will continue to arrange flights for those who wish to return to Thailand at a later date.
Government Spokesperson Chai Watcharong has disclosed that there will be a change in the evacuation plan after November 2nd. Instead of using charter flights, the government will consider commercial flights based on the number of evacuees. If the number of people wishing to return is low, chartering an entire flight may not be feasible.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasized the government’s commitment to facilitating suitable flights for Thai citizens who wish to return. He also mentioned that he will be engaging in further discussions with the Israeli Prime Minister in the near future.
Amid the ongoing conflicts in Israel, marked by missile attacks from Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, the overall situation remains tense. The Israeli Prime Minister has declared that operations against Hamas will persist, including airstrikes and ground operations.
Regarding Thai citizens in Israel, the statistics show that 32 have lost their lives, 19 are injured, with six currently hospitalized. Additionally, 22 individuals have been taken hostage by Hamas.
https://tpnnational.com/2023/11/02/thai ... vacuation/
By Goongnang Suksawat
2 November, 2023
The Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv has issued a crucial notice to Thai citizens in Israel, highlighting their last opportunity for an organized evacuation.
Following this announcement, concerns have arisen regarding whether the Thai government will continue to arrange flights for those who wish to return to Thailand at a later date.
Government Spokesperson Chai Watcharong has disclosed that there will be a change in the evacuation plan after November 2nd. Instead of using charter flights, the government will consider commercial flights based on the number of evacuees. If the number of people wishing to return is low, chartering an entire flight may not be feasible.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin emphasized the government’s commitment to facilitating suitable flights for Thai citizens who wish to return. He also mentioned that he will be engaging in further discussions with the Israeli Prime Minister in the near future.
Amid the ongoing conflicts in Israel, marked by missile attacks from Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, the overall situation remains tense. The Israeli Prime Minister has declared that operations against Hamas will persist, including airstrikes and ground operations.
Regarding Thai citizens in Israel, the statistics show that 32 have lost their lives, 19 are injured, with six currently hospitalized. Additionally, 22 individuals have been taken hostage by Hamas.
https://tpnnational.com/2023/11/02/thai ... vacuation/
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Re: Thais killed, injured, kidnapped, taken hostage in Hamas attack on Israel
Thailand held direct hostage talks with Hamas in Iran
November 2, 2023
Thai officials held direct talks with Hamas in Iran last week over the fate of 22 of the kingdom’s nationals taken hostage by the Palestinian terror group in its assault on Israel, the head of a Thai delegation says.
Negotiators met Hamas officials in Tehran on October 26 and were given a pledge that the Thais would be released at the “right time,” Areepen Uttarasin tells reporters in Bangkok.
Areepen, who led the three-person team appointed by the speaker of the Thai parliament, says they held a two-hour meeting with Hamas members in Iran.
“I asked them to release them because they are innocent,” he says.
“They assured me that they were taking good care of them, but they couldn’t tell me the release date… They were waiting for the right time.”
He says after the talks the Thai team — all Muslims — prayed with the Hamas representatives.
“They acknowledged our concerns because they know that Thailand has offered kindness and benefits to the Muslim community… They respect Thailand,” Areepan says.
About 30,000 Thais were working in Israel, mostly in the agriculture sector, according to the kingdom’s labor ministry.
Thirty-two Thai nationals were killed and 19 wounded in the October 7 Hamas assault that killed some 1,400 people, mostly civilians. More than 240 people were taken hostage to Gaza.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ ... s-in-iran/
November 2, 2023
Thai officials held direct talks with Hamas in Iran last week over the fate of 22 of the kingdom’s nationals taken hostage by the Palestinian terror group in its assault on Israel, the head of a Thai delegation says.
Negotiators met Hamas officials in Tehran on October 26 and were given a pledge that the Thais would be released at the “right time,” Areepen Uttarasin tells reporters in Bangkok.
Areepen, who led the three-person team appointed by the speaker of the Thai parliament, says they held a two-hour meeting with Hamas members in Iran.
“I asked them to release them because they are innocent,” he says.
“They assured me that they were taking good care of them, but they couldn’t tell me the release date… They were waiting for the right time.”
He says after the talks the Thai team — all Muslims — prayed with the Hamas representatives.
“They acknowledged our concerns because they know that Thailand has offered kindness and benefits to the Muslim community… They respect Thailand,” Areepan says.
About 30,000 Thais were working in Israel, mostly in the agriculture sector, according to the kingdom’s labor ministry.
Thirty-two Thai nationals were killed and 19 wounded in the October 7 Hamas assault that killed some 1,400 people, mostly civilians. More than 240 people were taken hostage to Gaza.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ ... s-in-iran/
Re: Thais killed, injured, kidnapped, taken hostage in Hamas attack on Israel
I almost dropped my coffee when I read this line.Times of Israel wrote: ↑Sat Nov 04, 2023 7:41 am “They acknowledged our concerns because they know that Thailand has offered kindness and benefits to the Muslim community…
The Thais can't stand the Muslims...and for good reason.
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Re: Thais killed, injured, kidnapped, taken hostage in Hamas attack on Israel
I haven't seen that. Unless you mean non-Thai Muslims, I can't agree. Right where I live is a major Islamic community, complete with mosque, Islamic school, women in burkas - the whole bit. I've never had any problems with them and no non-Islamic Thais have any problems with them either. They are just like everybody else.
I wonder how many Thais taken hostage by Hamas are actually Muslim. With 30,000 Thais working in Israel, certainly a portion of them are likely Muslim.
For sure I don't like the Talaban, Hamas, Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda, even the radicals in the extreme south of Thailand, or any other Muslim extremist groups and I doubt the Islamics in my neighborhood feel any differently.
If you meant non-Thai radical Muslims, I completely agree with you. If you meant Thai Muslims, then I completely disagree (with that extreme south of Thailand exception).
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Re: Thais killed, injured, kidnapped, taken hostage in Hamas attack on Israel
Two more Thais in Israel confirmed dead
Another hostage confirmed, Thai embassy closes evacuation centre as most confirmed returnees have left
by Poramet Tangsathaporn and Surachai Piragsa
November 4, 2023
Two more Thais working in Israel have been confirmed dead and another Thai has been taken hostage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.
The number of Thais who have died has reached 34 — only France has lost more citizens (39) during the hostilities. The total number of Thai hostages taken by Hamas is 24 since the Palestinian militants launched their large-scale attack on Oct 7. The number of injured Thais remains at 19, said the ministry.
The Thai government has been actively pursuing a number of avenues in its attempt to bring hostages home when it is safe for them to be taken out of Gaza.
Negotiation teams have met with representatives of Iran, Qatar and Hamas, while Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also had a direct phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.
In a related development, the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv has closed its evacuation centre as the number of Thai workers who have confirmed their wish to return home has dropped dramatically.
A total of 35 evacuation flights have taken place since Oct 15 and the shelter in Tel Aviv was closed after the last flight departed on Friday, the embassy said in a post on its Facebook page.
It said that repatriated Thai workers can present their evacuation flight tickets to their local employment office in Thailand to receive reimbursement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the last evacuation flight, operated by the Israeli airline Arkia, arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Friday morning with 90 Thais aboard.
From now on, it said, evacuation flights will be offered based on the number of Thai workers willing to travel to Tel Aviv to board a flight.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, meanwhile, has approved a support grant for repatriated Thai workers of 50,000 baht each, together with another 15,000 baht from the overseas workers’ fund, said Pairote Chotikasathien, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labour.
Mr Pairote said that currently there were about 700 Thai workers who had signed up to work in Israel but have been unable to travel there because of the conflict.
Sorrowful farewell
In Buri Ram on Saturday, relatives and mourners bid a final farewell to Charoon Chartdamdee, 40, a Thai worker killed in Israel, at a temple in in Lam Plai Mat district.
The body of Charoon arrived home in tambon Ban Yang on Thursday night of Nov 2.
His mother Chan Wisetsat, 75, has struggled to come to terms with the loss of her son, who was the breadwinner of the family.
Charoon, the youngest of Mrs Chan’s four children, had worked in Israel for two years before the family lost contact with him on Oct 7, the first day of the Hamas attack. He was later confirmed dead.
The governor of Buri Ram led officials attending the cremation ceremony at Wat Pho Yoi in Lam Plai Mat.
Another hostage confirmed, Thai embassy closes evacuation centre as most confirmed returnees have left
by Poramet Tangsathaporn and Surachai Piragsa
November 4, 2023
Two more Thais working in Israel have been confirmed dead and another Thai has been taken hostage, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.
The number of Thais who have died has reached 34 — only France has lost more citizens (39) during the hostilities. The total number of Thai hostages taken by Hamas is 24 since the Palestinian militants launched their large-scale attack on Oct 7. The number of injured Thais remains at 19, said the ministry.
The Thai government has been actively pursuing a number of avenues in its attempt to bring hostages home when it is safe for them to be taken out of Gaza.
Negotiation teams have met with representatives of Iran, Qatar and Hamas, while Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also had a direct phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday.
In a related development, the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv has closed its evacuation centre as the number of Thai workers who have confirmed their wish to return home has dropped dramatically.
A total of 35 evacuation flights have taken place since Oct 15 and the shelter in Tel Aviv was closed after the last flight departed on Friday, the embassy said in a post on its Facebook page.
It said that repatriated Thai workers can present their evacuation flight tickets to their local employment office in Thailand to receive reimbursement.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the last evacuation flight, operated by the Israeli airline Arkia, arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on Friday morning with 90 Thais aboard.
From now on, it said, evacuation flights will be offered based on the number of Thai workers willing to travel to Tel Aviv to board a flight.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, meanwhile, has approved a support grant for repatriated Thai workers of 50,000 baht each, together with another 15,000 baht from the overseas workers’ fund, said Pairote Chotikasathien, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Labour.
Mr Pairote said that currently there were about 700 Thai workers who had signed up to work in Israel but have been unable to travel there because of the conflict.
Sorrowful farewell
In Buri Ram on Saturday, relatives and mourners bid a final farewell to Charoon Chartdamdee, 40, a Thai worker killed in Israel, at a temple in in Lam Plai Mat district.
The body of Charoon arrived home in tambon Ban Yang on Thursday night of Nov 2.
His mother Chan Wisetsat, 75, has struggled to come to terms with the loss of her son, who was the breadwinner of the family.
Charoon, the youngest of Mrs Chan’s four children, had worked in Israel for two years before the family lost contact with him on Oct 7, the first day of the Hamas attack. He was later confirmed dead.
The governor of Buri Ram led officials attending the cremation ceremony at Wat Pho Yoi in Lam Plai Mat.
Re: Thais killed, injured, kidnapped, taken hostage in Hamas attack on Israel
Yes...sorry...I was referring to non-Thai Muslims.
I don't recall there ever being a problem with the Thai Muslims. It's the non-Thai Muslims down south near the Malaysian border that most of my Thai friends don't like. It might have something to do with the continuous violent outbreaks along the border where the Muslims like to bomb the local Buddhists.
Fortunately (for Thailand) the Muslim population is limited to around 5%. The Muslims here, like every other country on earth where they reside, stay mostly to themselves...don't blend with society...don't want to...and are left alone for the most part. This being the case, the Thais leave them alone...treat them with respect...and don't seem to pay a lot of attention to them. But, on-the-other-hand, the Thai Army bombs the living shit out of the Muslim terrorists bordering Malaysia at regular intervals...and for good reason.
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Re: Thais killed, injured, kidnapped, taken hostage in Hamas attack on Israel
I'm glad you cleared that up. That's what I thought you meant. NOW I fully agree.
I also agree they keep mainly to themselves. Everybody is welcome as far as they're concerned, but they rarely venture outside of their neighborhoods very much. I'll often see a few Muslim ladies in their hijabs in grocery stores, often even working in grocery stores, but hardly ever anywhere else other than within their neighborhoods.
In any case their similarity to the militant types is virtually nil. They are perfectly tolerant and friendly to everyone, from lady boys to farang, to Buddhists - everyone.
I also agree they keep mainly to themselves. Everybody is welcome as far as they're concerned, but they rarely venture outside of their neighborhoods very much. I'll often see a few Muslim ladies in their hijabs in grocery stores, often even working in grocery stores, but hardly ever anywhere else other than within their neighborhoods.
In any case their similarity to the militant types is virtually nil. They are perfectly tolerant and friendly to everyone, from lady boys to farang, to Buddhists - everyone.
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Re: Thais killed, injured, kidnapped, taken hostage in Hamas attack on Israel
All 23 Thai hostages ‘safe and will be released soon’
by THE NATION
November 7, 2023
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin affirmed on Monday that 23 Thais captured by Hamas militants are safe after Thai negotiators said the hostages would be freed soon.
Srettha said he talked to Gen Songwit Noonpakdee, chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, on Sunday night and was informed that all 23 Thai hostages were still safe.
Srettha said Songwit had seen photos of the hostages. The defence forces chief was still negotiating with Hamas via Malaysia for the release of the Thai captives, he added.
The prime minister said the negotiators were waiting for a ceasefire of one or two days to provide a window for hostages to be escorted from the Gaza Strip.
Thailand was depending on Malaysia as its intermediary for efforts to seek the hostages’ release, the PM said.
Parliament president’s deputy Muk Sulaiman told reporters on Sunday that the 23 Thai hostages were being taken good care of and were still safe.
Muk, a lead negotiator, said Iranian authorities have confirmed the identities of Thai captives and Tehran had informed him that Hamas was now ready to free them.
Muk said Hamas was simply waiting for the right time and a safe route to escort the hostages out of the Gaza Strip. Once a window of opportunity is open, Hamas would inform him via Iran so that Parliament President Wan Muhammad Noor Matha could travel to Iran and receive the hostages as they are released, Muk added.
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand ... l/40032588
by THE NATION
November 7, 2023
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin affirmed on Monday that 23 Thais captured by Hamas militants are safe after Thai negotiators said the hostages would be freed soon.
Srettha said he talked to Gen Songwit Noonpakdee, chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, on Sunday night and was informed that all 23 Thai hostages were still safe.
Srettha said Songwit had seen photos of the hostages. The defence forces chief was still negotiating with Hamas via Malaysia for the release of the Thai captives, he added.
The prime minister said the negotiators were waiting for a ceasefire of one or two days to provide a window for hostages to be escorted from the Gaza Strip.
Thailand was depending on Malaysia as its intermediary for efforts to seek the hostages’ release, the PM said.
Parliament president’s deputy Muk Sulaiman told reporters on Sunday that the 23 Thai hostages were being taken good care of and were still safe.
Muk, a lead negotiator, said Iranian authorities have confirmed the identities of Thai captives and Tehran had informed him that Hamas was now ready to free them.
Muk said Hamas was simply waiting for the right time and a safe route to escort the hostages out of the Gaza Strip. Once a window of opportunity is open, Hamas would inform him via Iran so that Parliament President Wan Muhammad Noor Matha could travel to Iran and receive the hostages as they are released, Muk added.
https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand ... l/40032588