Five Thai hostages return home after more than a year in Hamas captivity

Seeing them reunited with their families is exactly what we have worked for,

he said

We are all deeply touched to come back to our birthplace ... to be standing here,

said Pongsak Thaenna, one of the returnees

We still have hope and continue to work to bring them back,

Maris said, ... adding that

This is emotional ... to come back to the embrace of their families,

he said

We will do our upmost to have the remaining hostage returned to Thailand, as well as the remains of those two who have passed away,

Mr Maris added

Thank you to the ministry’s from getting us back today, without their help we won’t be back today. It is an overwhelming feeling, so thank you very much,

he said

We are all very grateful and very happy that we get to return to our homeland

Pongsak Thaenna told a news conference at the airport

We and our clients, the Sharabi and Brisley families, are delighted that after 16 months in captivity, Eli Sharabi has today, Saturday, 8 February 2025, been released from being held as a hostage in Gaza by the Hamas terrorist organisation

A statement from the Sharabi and Brisley families and their lawyers said

We spoke to the family of Sriaoun [one of the captives], and they are incredibly excited to welcome him home,

Cheng said

His mother said that during this entire period, she kept her faith in God. She said she was rather frustrated because there had been very little communication from the Thai government or the Israeli government during their captivity,

he said

Most of the Thai workers love to work here,

Chandraramya said, ... adding that

They worked tirelessly in the farm, in the kibbutz,

she told reporters last week

We never gave up on these hostages,

he said during a press conference at the airport

I thank everyone who helped us make it out. We wouldn't be here today if it weren't for them. We can finally return to our motherland,

he said

I don't think I want him to be far from home again,

Somboon told AFP

It felt like I died and I was reborn,

he said in an interview video distributed by Thai officials

I never thought this day would come,

the 65-year-old told the BBC

I cannot wait to see my son,

the 53-year-old said