Name: From Gaza to Thailand: sad homecoming for hostages remains
Uploaded: 2025-12-08T14:48:48.578Z
Duration: 2 min 54 s
Description: Two years after Hamas militants killed Thai worker Sudthisak Rinthalak, his family in northeastern Thailand is preparing to receive his remains and hold a Buddhist ceremony they believe will bring his spirit peace.

Two years after Hamas militants killed Thai worker Sudthisak Rinthalak, his family in northeastern Thailand is preparing to receive his remains and hold a Buddhist ceremony they believe will bring his spirit peace.

Nong Khai

The U.S-brokered ceasefire deal in Gaza is holding, after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages.

Middle East Conflict

The remains of Sutisak Rinthalak, a Thai worker captured and killed by Hamas militants during the October 7, 2023 attack in Israel, have been returned to his family in northern Thailand as part of a ceasefire agreement. His brother, Tepon, who had prepared a home for Sutisak's return, is now organizing Buddhist and local rituals to honor him, in accordance with Isan beliefs.

The family had waited through several hostage releases, hoping Sutisak would return alive. Tepon expressed sorrow and urged other Thai families to carefully consider the risks of working abroad, especially in conflict zones, as thousands of Thai laborers have sought employment in Israel's agriculture sector.

From Gaza to Thailand: sad homecoming for hostage's remains

On a rubber plantation in northern Thailand, a 50-year-old farmer has toiled to build a house with his own hands. Over the past two years, Tepon Rinthalak prepared everything for his brother, Sutisak, in case he came back. Everything is done, but the person I did these things for is not here. Sutisak was a Thai worker captured by Hamas militants during their October 7, 2023 attack and later killed. His remains were among 27 hostage bodies returned by Hamas under the current ceasefire agreement. The handover of diseased hostages is a key condition of the initial phase of the Gaza deal. Sutisak had gone to Israel to work on a farm and support his parents, who live in a small agricultural community. Tepon said he felt helpless when he last saw his brother on video lying face down with militants pointing guns at him. I feel sad because I couldn't do anything to help him. I feel sorry for him. There was nothing I could do when I saw him with my own eyes. He was hiding behind a wooden frame, and they were pointing the gun at him and others. For months, the family waited through multiple hostage releases, hoping Sutisak would be among those freed alive. But each time, they were disappointed. Now, Tepon and his family are preparing to welcome his brother's remains home and hold ceremonies in keeping with Buddhism and local beliefs. I am proud of him, and I'm happy to finally see that my brother's remains will get to come back home. He was born here and supposed to die here, but he was killed over there. We've got to make merit for him. According to Isan beliefs, no matter where they passed away, they will be brought back home, nowhere else. The rituals have to be held here anyway. Despite how little money we have, we always have to bring our family back home. Before the conflict, about 30,000 Thai laborers worked in Israel's agriculture sector, making them one of the largest migrant worker groups in the country. As he mourns, Tepon sees his brother's death as a warning to other Thai workers considering jobs abroad. I just want to tell the world that you've got to think very carefully when sending your family abroad. See which countries are at war or not, and think carefully. You have to check carefully to make sure before going. It might end up like this, where you might not get to come back, just like my brother. I still feel sad about this.

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From Gaza to Thailand: sad homecoming for hostage's remains

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