October 7 · Personal story
Boonthom Phankong
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
Agricultural work in Mivtahim, southern Israel
Current outcome
Released alive · November 24, 2023
Released on November 24, 2023 after 48 days in captivity; arrived in Thailand on November 30.
01
Work and a shared plan
Boonthom came from Udon Thani and was the youngest of nine children. His mother and sister said he had worked in Israel for five years with his partner, Nutthawaree, from Khon Kaen. Both had family debts to pay off, and the wages in Israel offered a way to support their households.
02
Stopped on the way to shelter
Nutthawaree later recalled that on October 7, as explosions drew nearer, Boonthom climbed onto his bicycle and she sat behind him, holding onto him while he pedalled toward what they hoped was safety. Armed men stopped them. She said this was the last time she saw him before being taken to Gaza. His mother and sister in Thailand learned he was among the captured workers and prayed for his safe release.
03
Separated for 48 days
Boonthom and Nutthawaree spent 48 days in captivity apart. Nutthawaree later described hunger, repeated moves between underground rooms and not knowing where she was. She held onto the hope of seeing him again and vowed that if he survived, they would marry after first taking temporary religious vows. In the same cell, young Israeli hostage Emilia Aloni reassured her that she would see Boonthom again. These are Nutthawaree’s memories of her own confinement and her concern for him.
04
They found each other again
On November 24, after 48 days, Nutthawaree was brought outside. Near the border, she noticed a man whose height resembled Boonthom’s. Nearsighted, she watched him approach and saw how thin he had become. They joined hands when they recognized each other. Thai family reporting named both among the ten released that day. They returned to Thailand on November 30.
05
A village welcome and new vows
On December 11, Boonthom took part in an ordination ceremony at Wat Samakkhi Phatthanaram in Udon Thani. With his head shaved and wearing a white ceremonial tunic, he was lifted onto his nephew’s shoulders while relatives and villagers cheered. Nutthawaree joined the prayer for him. He was to spend a week as a monk there before continuing religious duties in her village. In a December interview, she said they hoped to marry and find work together again, while weighing the need to earn a living against fear of returning to Israel.