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Five Thai citizens released by Hamas return to Bangkok — MFA

In the airport they were welcomed by Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa

BANGKOK, February 9. /TASS/. Five Thai citizens released by the Palestinian movement Hamas have returned to Bangkok, the Thai Foreign Ministry reported.

In the airport they were welcomed by Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa.

"All five Thai citizens have safely returned to their homeland and have been reunited with their families," the ministry said in a statement.

The Thai Foreign Minister praised the Thai government’s "unwavering efforts over the past 15 months, working with full determination and capacity to ensure the success of the mission that we are witness to today."

Sangiampongsa reaffirmed the Thai government's commitment to "working continuously towards the release of one remaining Thai hostage and bringing the remains of the two Thai nationals back to Thailand."

Earlier, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikondet Phalangkun said that the following Thai citizens were released by Hamas on January 30: Watchara Si-uan, Phongsak Thaenna, Sathien Suwannakham, Surasak Lamnau and Bannawat Saethau.

He stressed that a total of 28 Thai hostages have been released since the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on October 7, 2023. A total of 39 Thai citizens were killed in the Hamas attack on Israel.

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