Thailand’s foreign minister will travel to Qatar and Egypt on Tuesday to discuss the status of 22 Thais kidnapped by Hamas after their attack on Israel.
According to Israeli police, more than 1,400 persons, mostly civilians, were murdered in an attack launched from the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian militant Hamas on October 7.
In retaliation, Israel’s military has bombed Gaza, killing over 8,300 people, including over 3,000 children, according to the Hamas-controlled health ministry.
According to the most recent Israeli data, Hamas holds around 230 hostages in Gaza, 22 of which are Thai nationals, according to Bangkok’s foreign ministry.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin stated on Monday that his government is working hard to return Thai citizens.
He has sent Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara to meet with Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister on Tuesday, followed by discussions with Egypt’s foreign minister on Wednesday.
Parnpree will “discuss the situation of Thai nationals being held hostage as a result of the ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza,” according to a statement from the ministry.
When the conflict broke, over 30,000 Thais were working in Israel, the majority of them were in the agriculture sector.
According to the ministry, at least 32 Thais have been murdered and 19 have been injured in the conflict.
“We are more like victims of the war,” Srettha told reporters before a trip to neighboring Laos on Monday.
“We have been more affected because there are more workers from Thailand in Israel than from other countries.”
Srettha stated that the government would provide financial assistance to Thais who wish to return home from Israel.
“The reason why Thais won’t return to Thailand is because of money,” he said.
“We are providing financial aid of 50,000 baht ($1,400) per person, including those who already returned,” Srettha told reporters.
