Remains of Thai hostage released by Hamas repatriated

The remains of a Thai hostage who was killed in the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel by Hamas have arrived back in his home country.

A plane carrying Sonthaya Oakkharasri landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport near Bangkok on Thursday. His remains were handed over by Hamas on Saturday as part of a ceasefire deal. Thailand's Labour Minister and Israel's ambassador to Thailand laid wreaths during a repatriation ceremony of Sonthaya's body at the airport on Thursday.

Dozens of Thais, many of them farm workers, were caught up in the Hamas assault two years ago. More than 20 hostages were later released alive. But over 40 died in the attack or while in captivity. The Thai government said the body of one more Thai citizen has yet to be returned.