The father of a Thai farmhand who was held hostage in Gaza for 15 months could barely get the words out at hearing the news of his son’s release.

Five Thai nationals held hostage by Hamas since its 2023 attack on Israel were released Thursday, while one remaining Thai citizen remains in captivity.

The five hostages were among the 31 Thai agricultural workers who were captured by Hamas from four farms close to the Gaza border. Earlier, 23 hostages were released and two, Sudthisak Rinthalak and Sonthaya Oakkharasri, were confirmed dead in May of last year.

Thailand and Israel have expressed interest in negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) to enhance trade and investment between the two nations.Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said the countries share a mutual interest in establishing an FTA,

Three Israelis and five Thai nationals were freed earlier in what PM Benjamin Netanyahu called "shocking scenes".

Israel had delayed their release in protest against the way the seven hostages freed by Hamas were treated as they were handed over to Red Cross staff in Khan Younis. View on euronews

Five Thai farm workers who were abducted during the 7 October attacks by Hamas on Israel have been released after being held for almost 500 days in Gaza. They were handed over to the Red Cross during chaotic scenes along with two Israelis, shortly after a first Israeli hostage was freed.

CORRECTS ID - Thai hostages who were freed from Hamas, from left to right, Surasak Rumnao, Sathian Suwannakham, Bannawat Saethao, Watchara Sriaoun, and Pongsak Thaenna hold the Thailand flag in Israel, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025. (Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv via AP) (Uncredited/Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv)

The status of the last remaining Thai hostage in Gaza remains unconfirmed despite the release of five other Thai hostages, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).

Five Thai farmers were released by Hamas on Thursday, meaning nearly all of the 31 Thai hostages seized during the October 7 attack on Israel have been freed. How did so many Thai nationals end up

A freed ex-militant received a hero’s welcome in the occupied West Bank on Thursday night after chaos during a Gaza hostage release briefly delayed the third ­Israel-Hamas exchange under a ceasefire deal.