The Los Angeles Post
U.S. World Business Lifestyle
Today: April 15, 2025
Today: April 15, 2025

Prayers for Thai hostage in Gaza echo from a rural church

October 07, 2024

By Napat Wesshasartar and Thomas Suen

Wiwwaro Sriaoun, mother of a remaining Thai hostage captured by Hamas, Watchara Sriaoun, attends Sunday church service, in Kut Yang village, Udon Thani province

KUT YANG, Thailand (Reuters) - Inside a church in northeastern Thailand the Sriaoun family gathered on Sunday, their voices rising and falling in song, tears rolling down the eyes of some, as they prayed for the safe return of their oldest son.

Watchara Sriaoun, 32, is one of six Thais believed to be held captive by Hamas since the war began last October.

For a year now, the Sriaoun family, along with their fellow church members, has prayed every week for his return. But there has been scant news.

"We can only pray to God," said Wiwwaro Sriaoun, Watchara's mother. "Asking people doesn't give us answers, and even the village chief or headman cannot confirm anything."

At least 240 people - Israelis and foreign nationals - were abducted to Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023 by Hamas militants who burst across the border into Israel and killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities.

The attack provoked an Israeli offensive which in the past 12 months has laid waste to the Palestinian territory of Gaza and killed almost 42,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Hamas gunmen killed 41 Thais and abducted 30 Thai labourers during the Oct. 7 attack. Six Thais are still believed to be held captive by Hamas, according to Thailand's foreign ministry.

Last week, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian requested support for the release of the remaining Thai hostages, according to a government statement.

Before the conflict erupted, some 30,000 Thai labourers worked in the agriculture sector, making them one of Israel's largest migrant worker groups.

Watchara and his younger brother went to Israel in 2020, hoping to clear the family's debt of some 300,000 Baht ($8,971) and earn money for their father's medical expenses.

Together, they sent 50,000 Baht home each month to help pay off the debt and renovate the family home in Thailand's rural heartland.

His younger brother has since returned home at their mother's request.

With a part of the 3 million Baht compensation that they received in July from the Israeli government, the family paid off their debt and purchased some land that Watchara had promised to buy for his mother.

But Watchara's absence is felt every day, especially by his nine-year-old daughter Irada, who also lost her mother in August.

"I wish for this brutal war to end," Wiwwaro said, tears welling in her eyes.

"Everyone has suffered enough, and I have suffered enough too, waiting for my son."

($1 = 33.4400 baht)

(Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Michael Perry)

Share This

Popular

Asia|Celebrity|Crime|Entertainment

J-pop star Kenshin Kamimura pleads not guilty to indecent assault in Hong Kong

J-pop star Kenshin Kamimura pleads not guilty to indecent assault in Hong Kong
Asia|Business|Economy|Political

Global banks cut China growth forecasts as trade war deepens

Global banks cut China growth forecasts as trade war deepens
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

China, Vietnam to assess viability of new railways, document shows

China, Vietnam to assess viability of new railways, document shows
Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

South Korea vice minister to travel to Alaska for gas project talks, Yonhap says

South Korea vice minister to travel to Alaska for gas project talks, Yonhap says

World

Asia|Business|Economy|Political|World

Chinese official says US tariff aims to 'take away Hong Kong's life'

Chinese official says US tariff aims to 'take away Hong Kong's life'
Africa|Europe|Political|World

An international conference rallies aid for Sudan after 2 years of war, but peace is elusive

An international conference rallies aid for Sudan after 2 years of war, but peace is elusive
Americas|Asia|Political|World

Chinese embassy criticises US treasury secretary for 'smearing' China

Chinese embassy criticises US treasury secretary for 'smearing' China
Environment|Europe|Science|World

Europe had most widespread floods for more than a decade in 2024, scientists say

Europe had most widespread floods for more than a decade in 2024, scientists say

Access this article for free.

Already have an account? Sign In