October 7 · Personal story
Kong Saelao
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
Israel
Current outcome
Released alive · November 29, 2023
Released from captivity on 29 November 2023.
01
Life before
DW reported that 26-year-old Kong rode an electric bicycle to the avocado fields each morning and picked fruit until sundown. He sent his wife, Suntree, cheerful selfies from among the trees; she said they planned to build a house and start a family.
02
Abduction
On 7 October 2023, Hamas fighters attacked the plantation where Kong worked and abducted him to Gaza, DW reported. The Times of Israel reported that four workers in his group escaped while Kong and another worker were taken.
03
Captivity
In its 31 October report, DW described Kong’s wife Suntree waiting for news. She asked, “Why him of all people?” and called him an innocent worker who wanted to earn money. DW reported that there had been no trace of Kong since the abduction.
04
Release and return
The Times of Israel reported Kong’s release on 29 November 2023. The Reporters named him among six Thai workers who arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport at 13:50 on 4 December aboard flight LY081.
05
After his return
After learning that Kong was alive, his wife Suntree Saelee expressed immense joy and relief, The Thaiger reported.