June 7, 2025 – Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, expressed his deep sorrow following the confirmation of another Thai worker’s death who had been held hostage during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. A report from Mr. Kittithana Srisuriya, Minister Counsellor (on Labour) at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, stated that the Israeli military discovered the body of Mr. Nattapong Pinta, a 35-year-old worker originally from Phrae Province, in the city of Rafah in southern Gaza. He had a wife residing in Nakhon Phanom. The Labour Minister, along with the Ministry of Labour’s executives, offered their condolences to the bereaved family. He confirmed that the Labour Attaché in Tel Aviv, Mr. Kittithana Srisuriya, has been instructed to urgently coordinate the processing of all entitled benefits with both Israeli authorities. In Thailand, the Department of Employment confirmed that Mr. Nattapong was a member of the Fund for Job Seekers Going to Work Abroad, and the Social Security Office verified that he was previously a registered, insured person, meaning his family would be entitled to relevant financial compensation. To provide moral support, Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of Labour, deployed the five labour leaders in Phrae Province to visit the family and extend full assistance.
Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, Permanent Secretary of Labour, said that the following entitlements will be provided:
- Israeli Insurance Institution: Initially filed as hostage compensation, it is now being converted to death compensation as identification is confirmed. The process is currently underway.
- Thai Fund for Job Seekers Working Abroad by the Department of Employment: Lump sum compensation of 40,000 Baht for death. Funeral expenses incurred abroad are reimbursed up to 40,000 Baht based on actual costs. Document verification is in progress.
- Social Security Fund: The deceased was formerly insured and is eligible for 64,202.18 Baht as old-age benefits, excluding interest.
- Unpaid Wages & Severance (Pitzuim): The Labour Office at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv is actively coordinating to claim this from the employer.
In Thailand, provincial labour officials have visited Mr. Nattapong’s family in Moo 11, Rong Kwang Sub-district, Rong Kwang District, Phrae Province, to offer condolences and moral support. The family reportedly remains strong in spirit and has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Minister of Labour, the Permanent Secretary, senior ministry officials, and all related agencies for their compassion and assistance. As for the repatriation of the body, authorities are awaiting identity confirmation from Israeli authorities before proceeding with arrangements for the funeral ceremony in Thailand. Coordination for all entitled compensations is ongoing.
This brings the total number of Thai workers killed in the October 7 Hamas attack to 42, whereby 39 bodies have been repatriated to Thailand, and three bodies are pending repatriation.
