Carole Isoux (correspondent in Bangkok)/Photo credits: AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP
30 Thai nationals died during the attacks on October 7 in southern Israel. Nearly 19 Thai workers are currently being held hostage in the Gaza Strip. These agricultural workers, who came to work in the fruit sector, find themselves in the middle of a major conflict. Thailand is counting on the intervention of intermediary countries to free them.
Thailand is paying a heavy price in the war between Hamas and Israel. 30 Thai nationals died during the attacks on October 7 in southern Israel. Around twenty Thais were injured and 19 others are held in the Gaza Strip.
8,000 Thai workers demand repatriation
The Thai kingdom is therefore trying to get closer to influential Muslim countries to try to free its nationals. They are mostly agricultural workers who come from poor regions of Thailand to work in the fruit sector, particularly to replace Palestinian labor in border areas.
There are nearly 30,000 in Israel. But after the Hamas attack, more than 8,000 people requested urgent repatriation. Thailand, unaccustomed to finding itself at the heart of international crises of this magnitude, is counting on the intervention of intermediary countries such as Iran or Saudi Arabia.
An agreement with Iran
According to the Iranian ambassador in Bangkok, Hamas has already given its agreement to Iranian President Ebrahim Raïssi to release the Thai and Filipino hostages. In the absence of a passage opened by Israel and with continuous bombings, it is impossible to move them without risking their lives.
The Thai authorities are avoiding any position on the conflict. Prime Minister says personal connections are being used to free hostages.