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Thai Man’s Mother Makes Heartfelt Plea for His Release from Gaza

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A Mother’s Desperate Call for Freedom

The mother of Watchara Sriaoun, a Thai man held hostage in Gaza, has made an emotional plea for his release. Wiwwaeo Sriaoun expressed renewed hope following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which has already led to the release of some hostages.

Wiwwaeo’s son, Watchara, was among dozens of Thai workers abducted from farms in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. While three Israeli hostages were freed on Sunday as part of the deal, six Thai nationals, including Watchara, remain in captivity.

“I am happy to see the release of three Israelis and pray that my son and other Thai hostages will also be freed soon,” Wiwwaeo said. She urged all parties to grant her son and others the chance to return home.

Hope Amid Uncertainty

Wiwwaeo lives in the rural Udon Thani province of northeast Thailand with Watchara’s nine-year-old daughter, Irada. The family, along with Irada’s schoolmates, has been closely following the news, hoping for Watchara’s safe return.

“Now she is waiting for her father to come back,” Wiwwaeo said.

Foreign hostages, including the remaining Thai nationals, are expected to be released in the second phase of the ceasefire agreement. This phase, however, hinges on Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza, with significant uncertainties surrounding its implementation.

The Journey to Israel

Watchara, 31, moved to Israel three years ago with his younger brother, seeking better financial opportunities. Their aim was to alleviate the family’s debts by earning significantly higher wages than they could on their rubber plantation in Thailand.

Salaries for migrant workers in Israel range between 40,000 and 60,000 baht (£920-£1,380) monthly, double what they could earn back home. Before the war, approximately 30,000 Thai nationals worked in Israel, mainly in agriculture.

The attacks on October 7 changed everything. According to Thai officials, 46 Thai nationals have been killed since the conflict began, while six remain captives.

Diplomatic Efforts for Release

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Monday, welcoming the ceasefire and urging the immediate release of all remaining hostages, including Thai citizens. Diplomatic efforts involving countries like Malaysia, Qatar, and Egypt, as well as organizations like the Red Cross, have been instrumental in securing the release of some hostages.

Earlier in 2023, 23 Thai nationals were freed through such efforts. However, Wiwwaeo’s concerns remain.

“I pray daily for my son’s safety,” she said. “We don’t even know if they are alive. I want to hear how they are living, what conditions they face.”

Renewed Hope

Despite the uncertainty, the recent hostage release has rekindled hope for Wiwwaeo and her family.

“With the news of the release, there is more hope for me now,” she shared.

As negotiations for the next phase of the ceasefire begin, families like Wiwwaeo’s are clinging to hope, praying for the safe return of their loved ones. The journey to reunite these families is far from over, but the ceasefire has offered a glimmer of possibility.

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