Thai worker pleads for government help to retrieve twin’s body from Israel

A 36 year old Thai worker is urging the Thai government to assist in locating the body of his twin brother, who was fatally attacked during a Hamas-led assault on the Gaza Strip. His twin brother, whose body is undergoing identification in Israel, joined him in Israel six months after he began working there in 2019. While he was employed in the less tumultuous central region, his brother found work near the Gaza Strip in southern Israel.

Jetsada Homson recounted the horrifying revelation of his brother’s capture and subsequent death at the hands of his captors on October 18, as informed by Settha Homson’s employer. Despite this, Israeli authorities have yet to confirm the identification of Settha’s body. Jetsada points to the necessity of government-level assistance in facilitating the transfer of his brother’s body back to Thailand for proper funeral proceedings.

“I will never go back to work there. I still cannot believe my brother is dead. My wish now is that the government finds a way to bring his body back home as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, 40 year old Wilai Thepmueanphrai, who recently returned from Israel, shared his experiences of living a mere seven kilometres from Gaza. He described the constant barrage of sirens and missile interceptions as haunting and how he and four other Thai workers were left to fend for themselves when their employer escaped to safety. Wilai reached out to the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv for help while hiding in an underground bunker for 15 days before being rescued by Israeli authorities, reported Bangkok Post.

“All I could do to keep my spirits high was to pray and think of my parents,” said Wilai, who, despite his ordeal, hopes to return to Israel someday.

In other developments, Chatchai Ueamklang and Suphon Sirasai are both receiving treatment in hospitals in Thailand after being evacuated from northern Israel. The pair were flown back to Thailand yesterday.