On February 3, 2025, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Labour, had a direct video call with five Thai workers who were released from hostage at Shamir Medical Center in Israel. The Thai workers were receiving treatment at the hospital after their release. The call took place during the Ministry of Labour’s Executive Meeting No. 2/2025. Mr. Boonsong Thapchaiyut, the Permanent Secretary of Labour and the Ministry of Labour’s executives, attended the meeting at the Ministry of Labour.
Mr. Phiphat said that he and the Ministry of Labour’s executives were relieved and welcomed the five Thai workers, who were Mr. Watchara Sri-uan from Udon Thani Province, Mr. Phongsak Tanna from Buriram Province, Mr. Sathien Suwannakam from Nong Bua Lamphu Province, Mr. Surasak Lamnao from Udon Thani Province, and Mr. Bannawat Sae Tao from Nan Province. He said that the workers were released back into the arms of Thailand and back into the arms of their warm families. Their parents, relatives, family members, and children must miss them very much, and all Thais were worried about them. The Labour Minister, the Permanent Secretary of Labour, and executives of the Ministry of Labour will welcome the workers at Suvarnabhumi Airport upon their return. On behalf of the Ministry of Labour, the Labour Minister expressed words of encouragement and support and asked the workers to inform the Ministry of Labour for any further assistance. He also asked the Labour Ambassador in Tel Aviv to take good care of the five workers.
During the conversation, Mr. Phiphat asked the five Thai workers whether they had eaten the papaya salad with fermented fish sauce, as the dish is one that Thais are very familiar with. The Thai smiled and answered in unison that they had eaten the papaya salad with fermented fish sauce and that it was very delicious. The five Thai workers are expected to be discharged from the hospital on February 11 to prepare to travel back to Thailand.
Mr. Surasak Lamnao and Mr. Phongsak Tanna, representing the group, expressed their gratitude to the Minister of Labour and all agencies for their encouragement and concern for their group, who were well taken care of by the Thai and Israeli authorities after their release.
A report by the Labour Department at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv detailed additional information about the compensation and entitlements from the Israel Insurance Institute that the five workers will receive from Israel. The Israeli authorities will issue a certificate certifying the release of the hostages and will pay the following compensation: 1) Cash card worth 10,000 Shekels and 50,00 Shekels transferred to their accounts. 2) Monthly assistance until the age of 67, with a monthly compensation of 3,300 Shekels; for those aged 67-80, an annual compensation of 39,000 Shekels; and for those aged 80 and over, an annual compensation of 49,000 Shekels. In the first month, the five Thai workers will receive approximately 60,000 Shekels each, or approximately 600,000 Baht.
