Thai Worker Killed and Another Abducted in Israel, Urgent Action Needed
The situation in Israel remains severe following the tragic death of another Thai worker and the abduction of another. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has called for urgent action to address this issue. As he departed for Beijing to participate in the 3rd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Mr. Srettha addressed the situation at Suvarnabhumi airport.
While specific details were not provided, the Prime Minister confirmed that one more Thai worker had been killed, bringing the total number of Thai deaths to 29. Additionally, another worker had been taken captive, increasing the number of hostages to 18.
Reports have surfaced that six Thai workers, intended to return home on the latest aircraft, failed to make it back. Despite multiple attempts by Thai authorities to establish contact with them, they were unable to reach them. It is suspected that these workers may be trapped in dangerous areas due to ongoing armed conflict.
In an effort to evacuate the approximately 7,000 Thais who wish to return home from Israel by the end of November, Mr. Srettha has ordered arrangements for additional flights. On Monday morning, an A340-500 aircraft from the Royal Thai Air Force arrived back in Thailand with 130 Thai citizens.
As discussions continue, there have been no positive signs regarding the release of the kidnapped Thai workers. Prime Minister Srettha expressed his concern over the escalating conflict and the rising death toll among Thai employees. He demanded that every effort be made by the authorities to secure the swift release of the hostages and the safe return of their families.
Mr. Srettha revealed that he had already informed the Israeli envoy that the reported forced labor of Thai workers by Israeli companies is unacceptable. Further investigations will be conducted to address this matter.
Meanwhile, the news of the assassination of a Thai worker’s son at the hands of the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas has left the father devastated. Pitak Tolang, a native of Khon Kaen, spent nearly twenty years of his life working in Israel. Sources indicate that he was shot while fleeing a Hamas attack in his car.
Pitak’s family members have positively identified his remains. His sister, Nonglak Mungmai, shared that Pitak was the third of seven children. Before relocating to Israel, he was previously married to a Thai woman, and they had a daughter together. In Israel, Pitak married an Israeli woman and had a daughter named Jimmy. Two years ago, during a visit to Khon Kaen, he began a relationship with Champi Pongtaisong, whom he kept in regular contact with.
The heartbreaking news was broken to their father on October 9th, leaving him in agonizing pain ever since. The family was informed that Pitak was found dead in his car, after being dragged out onto the street by the Hamas attackers.
According to Champi, Pitak’s Thai-born daughter, she last spoke to him on October 7th during a phone call where she could hear gunfire and explosions in the background. Pitak refused to allow a video call, and the call ended abruptly after he became angry.
Jimmy, Pitak’s daughter, later contacted the family in Thailand to relay the tragic news of her father’s death. She provided evidence, including images of his lifeless body, confirming that he had been killed by Hamas. Photographs showed that his body had been removed from the vehicle and left on the street.
The situation in Israel remains grave as more Thai workers face danger and violence. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has taken immediate action to address these issues and ensure the safe return of Thai citizens. The government is committed to securing the swift release of the kidnapped workers and standing against forced labor practices. As this heartbreaking situation unfolds, the world waits in hope for a resolution and an end to the suffering of these Thai workers and their families.
