October 7 · Personal story
Chalermchai Saengkaew
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
Israel
Current outcome
Released alive · November 29, 2023
Released from captivity on 29 November 2023.
01
Life before
Thai Post described Chalermchai as a Thai agricultural worker who had worked in Israel before the attack.
02
Abduction
Chalermchai was among the Thai workers taken hostage in Gaza after the 7 October 2023 attack, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry reported.
03
Captivity and release
In a joint reflection published by the Royal Thai Embassy, Chalermchai and fellow worker Phatthanayut Tonsokri said they had felt despair and thought they might not survive. They said that after release they could speak with their families and meet Thai and Israeli hospital staff who cared for them.
04
Return to Nakhon Phanom
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry named Chalermchai among four hostages released on 29 November 2023. He returned to Nakhon Phanom province on 4 December, where his family and local officials welcomed him.
05
Family support
A provincial labor delegation visited Chalermchai’s home on 5 December. Thai Post reported that he said his family’s support and encouragement helped him regain strength.