That was the case with Pongsak, who left his native Buriram province 5 years in the past searching for higher alternatives.
His pursuit introduced him to Israel, the place he usually livestreamed on Fb his job choosing greens, with Thai rock music blasting within the background.
However on Oct 7, 2023, as an alternative of posting on social media, he referred to as his father.
“My son video referred to as me to point out me that there was a conflict occurring, and there have been firing and bombings,” Wilas told CNA once we first visited him final October through the first anniversary of the assault.
“He was shouting, ‘Cover, conceal, conceal from the bomb first. There are extra coming. We should conceal first.’ He was saying one thing like that for about 10 minutes through the video name on Oct 7.
“After that, the sign was minimize.”
THAI VICTIMS OF OCT 7 ATTACK
The cross-border incursion killed 41 Thais, in one of many deadliest days for Thais overseas in current historical past.
Pongsak was one in every of 32 Thais kidnapped by militants and brought to Gaza. Whereas a lot of the Thai hostages have been launched, he was amongst six Thais who remained in captivity for 15 months.
One senior diplomat stated the Thai casualties and hostages are “forgotten victims” of the Hamas assault.
Behind the scenes, efforts to safe their launch continued quietly.
