October 7 · Personal story
Swanakham Stian
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
Kibbutz Nir Oz, Israel
Current outcome
Released alive · January 30, 2025
Sathian was released on January 30, 2025, and arrived in Bangkok with relatives on February 9.
01
Life before
Sathian was from Nong Bua Lamphu in northeastern Thailand. His mother said he had completed primary school, then spent several years as a Buddhist monk; he later worked in Israel for four years, including on a chicken farm.
02
Abduction
At age 34, Sathian was taken from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. His mother could not tell whether he had been killed or abducted until other Thai workers from the kibbutz returned.
03
Captivity
Sathian’s younger sister Sirinna said the family continued to believe he was alive while he was held in Gaza. They never gave up hope and waited for him to come home.
04
Return
Sathian was among five Thai men released from Gaza on January 30, 2025. Relatives met him at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on February 9.
05
Aftermath
Sathian said he was thrilled to be returning to Thailand. He described the past year as difficult, with moments of despair, and said the hostages supported one another.