In a small church in northeastern Thailand, the Sriaoun family gathers every Sunday, their voices raised in prayer for the safe return of their eldest son, Watchara Sriaoun. The 32-year-old is among six Thai nationals believed to be held captive by Hamas since the outbreak of hostilities in October 2023.
The conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on Israel, resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of 240 people, including Israelis and foreign nationals. In response, Israel launched an offensive that has devastated the Gaza Strip, a self-governing Palestinian territory with one of the highest population densities globally.
Thailand, the third-largest source of migrant workers in Israel, has been significantly affected by the conflict. Prior to the outbreak, around 30,000 Thai laborers worked in Israel's agricultural sector, which employs about one-third of Thailand's workforce. The attack resulted in 41 Thai fatalities and the initial abduction of 30 Thai workers.
The Sriaoun family's story reflects the broader impact of the conflict on Thai migrant workers and their families. Watchara and his brother traveled to Israel in 2020, hoping to clear a family debt of 300,000 Baht (approximately $8,971) and cover their father's medical expenses. Together, they sent 50,000 Baht monthly to support their family in Thailand's rural heartland.
In July 2024, the family received 3 million Baht in compensation from the Israeli government. With this money, they paid off their debt and purchased land that Watchara had promised his mother. However, the emotional toll of his absence is palpable, especially for his nine-year-old daughter, Irada, who also lost her mother in August 2024.
"We can only pray to God. Asking people doesn't give us answers, and even the village chief or headman cannot confirm anything."
The Thai government has been actively seeking support for the release of the remaining hostages. Recently, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra discussed the matter with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, given Iran's historical support for Hamas.
Thailand, a country with a Buddhist majority and a constitutional monarchy, has maintained neutrality in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, the situation has highlighted the significance of remittances from overseas workers to Thailand's export-dependent economy.
As the conflict enters its second year, it continues to have global diplomatic and economic repercussions. The United Nations Security Council has passed numerous resolutions on the matter, while the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip since 2007 has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.
Wiwwaro Sriaoun expressed her heartfelt plea: "I wish for this brutal war to end. Everyone has suffered enough, and I have suffered enough too, waiting for my son." Her words echo the sentiments of many affected by this protracted conflict, which has its roots in the early 20th century and has caused significant refugee crises.
As the Sriaoun family continues their weekly vigil, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the far-reaching impacts of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, touching lives far beyond the immediate region and highlighting the complex interplay of global politics, economics, and human suffering.