BANGKOK: It has been more than a month since her daughter was captured by Hamas militants in Israel, and yet, Ms Boonyarin Srichan has heard little from the Thai government about the hostage situation.
There had been not a single call from any official to inform her that her daughter, 35-year-old Nutthawaree ‘Yo’ Munkan, is one of dozens of Thai workers reportedly held captive in the Gaza Strip.
It was only until Wednesday (Nov 8) night that a labour ministry official contacted her and told her to expect a call from the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel on Thursday morning. But there was none.
The Gaza Strip is at the heart of a raging war between its de facto governing body Hamas and Israel, following the militant group’s coordinated attack targeting civilian areas in Israel on Oct 7 that killed 1,400 Israelis.
The war is entirely foreign to 56-year-old Boonyarin, a villager in the rural northeastern province of Khon Kaen. She does not know what it is all about, but even more so, what has happened to her daughter.
“It has been a month already. I’m still puzzled as to who can help me…There has been no confirmation, no photo. All I’ve heard is from the news,” she told CNA.
“I don’t know if my child is still alive or if she’s one of the hostages. I have absolutely no clue.”
Despite the Thai government’s plea for their return and promise of a compensation package, many of the Thai workers in Israel have chosen to stay on instead of disrupting their employment contract and losing substantial income.
According to Mr Kasit, this is partially a result of “insufficient” dissemination of information to the public regarding the situation in Israel and Gaza.
He urged the Thai government to provide updates more regularly to ensure all Thais are well informed of new developments and risks in related areas.
“This is important. Close collaboration between spokespersons of the foreign ministry, the prime minister and media organisations must be carried out to a great extent,” he said.
For Thai workers returning home, the government has promised them a compensation of 50,000 baht (US$1,400) each on top of a low-interest loan capped at 150,000 baht.
THAILAND’S REACTION TO VIOLENCE “TOO LIGHT AND TOO THIN”
News of Hamas’ attack and violence against Thai workers has triggered a response of largely shock and disbelief in Thailand.
On Oct 7, the day of the attack, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin posted on social media: “I condemn the attack on Israel, an inhumane attack that caused innocent people to lose their lives and get hurt. I’d like to express my deepest condolences to the government and the people of Israel. This incident shouldn’t have happened”.
The Thai foreign ministry also issued a statement on the same day, asking all sides to avoid adding more tension to the conflict and denouncing the use of violence.
By working overtime and taking up small jobs on the side at weekends, the 35-year-old has been earning about 50,000 baht each month.
Her contract will end next year, when she plans to get married with her Thai partner she met in Israel, Mr Boonthom Phankong, and open a small food stall in Thailand with their savings.
Today, nobody knows if they are still alive.
Eye-witnesses told Ms Boonyarin that the pair were hiding in a bomb shelter when four Hamas militants entered the area and started firing their guns on Oct 7.
Startled, they added, Yo screamed and was later captured along with Mr Boonthom and another migrant worker.
The Labour Affairs Office at the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv confirmed with CNA that Mr Boonthom is also on the list of Thai hostages.
“I just froze,” Ms Boonyarin recalled when she received the bad news. “I want the government to give me some updates, to call me and say ‘she’s one of the hostages’ or ‘she’s here’, to follow up. But they’re completely silent.”