PM says 12 Thai captives released amid Gaza truce

Thailand’s PM says 12 Thai captives have been released in Gaza amid the truce between Hamas and Israel.

“It has been confirmed by the security side and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that 12 Thai hostages are already released,” Srettha Thavisin posted on X.

At least 23 Thai workers are believed to be among the about 240 people who were taken captive into Gaza during the October 7 attack. An additional 32 Thai workers were killed in the assault.

According to the Thai foreign ministry, some 30,000 Thais were employed in mainly Israel’s agricultural sector at the time of the attack. More than 8,600 Thai workers have been voluntarily repatriated since then.

Under an agreement with Israel, Thai workers are paid a minimum wage of 5,300 shekels a month ($2,000), six or seven times more than they earn at home.

(Aljazeera)