October 23, 2025, 16.45 hours, Free Zone Office Building, Suvarnabhumi Airport – Ms. Trinuch Thienthong, Minister of Labour, together with senior executives from the Ministry of Labour, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Dr Alona Fisher-Kamm, Ambassador of Israel to Thailand, attended the ceremony to receive the body of Mr. Sonthaya Akkrasri, a Thai worker who lost his life in Israel during the Israel–Hamas conflict, after being held hostage since October 2023. Upon arrival at the Free Zone area in Suvarnabhumi Airport, Ms. Trinuch, along with her delegation, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Dr Alona Fisher-Kamm, Ambassador of Israel to Thailand, entered the Suvarnabhumi Airport cargo terminal to receive the remains.
The Labour Minister and her team laid a wreath in tribute and observed a one-minute silence to pay their respects. The atmosphere was deeply sorrowful as officials and attendees honoured the late Thai worker before his body was taken by vehicle to be reunited with his family in Nong Bua Lamphu Province.
Ms. Trinuch stated, “Today is another day of sorrow, losing one of our fellow Thai workers who went abroad seeking a better life but could not return home safely while still alive. I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to the Akkrasri family for their loss. My thoughts are with Mr. Sonthaya’s parents and daughter. As Minister of Labour, I represent the Thai Government in bringing Mr. Sonthaya home, after seven long years away from his family.”
The Labour Minister affirmed that the government will ensure the family receives full compensation and benefits to which they are entitled. Several measures have already been taken, including five payments from the Israeli National Insurance Institute, as follows:
- Funeral condolence compensation – approximately 80,000 Baht.
- Funeral expenses – actual costs up to 40,000 Baht.
- Monthly compensation payments – approximately 80,000–120,000 Baht.
- Annual support allowance – 40,000 Baht.
- Other support funds, including education assistance for the deceased’s child and psychological support for the family.
Ms. Trinuch added that additional compensation, known as “Pitsuyim” (severance pay), is being processed, pending the submission of relevant documents from the family. The Ministry of Labour has already provided domestic compensation, including 40,000 Baht from the Department of Employment (death abroad benefit), 10,042 Baht in old-age benefits from the Social Security Office, and an emergency relief fund of 3,000 Baht from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security for families affected by the unrest in Israel.
“I would like to reaffirm that the Ministry of Labour will continue to ensure that all Thai workers overseas are properly cared for, their rights protected and their safety safeguarded in every aspect, as they work far from home to earn income for their families and for Thailand,” said Ms Trinuch.
She also announced that the temporary suspension on sending Thai workers to Israel has now been lifted, and the Department of Employment aims to continue deploying Thai workers to Israel. At present, approximately 40,461 Thai workers are working legally in the country.
Ms. Trinuch emphasized that the Ministry of Labour’s overseas offices have been instructed to work proactively in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all Thai workers abroad through comprehensive and vigilant measures.
