October 7 · Personal story
Uthai Sangnuan
Abducted
October 7, 2023
Abduction location
Agricultural area in southern Israel
Current outcome
Released alive · November 24, 2023
Released alive with the first group of ten Thai hostages.
01
Before October 7
Uthai Sangnuan came from Ban Phon Kho in Nakhon Phanom province. His mother Chanthai, 76, waited for him at home. He worked as a field hand in Israel.
02
Abduction
On October 7, Uthai was among Thai agricultural workers abducted in southern Israel. His mother, Chanthai, waited at their home in Ban Phon Kho, Nakhon Phanom province.
03
Captivity
At his November 30 airport arrival, Uthai spoke about other workers still held. Asked how captors treated the group, he said: “[Hamas] treated us okay. Quite good.”
04
Return
Uthai was released on November 24, 2023, with the first group of ten Thai hostages. He underwent medical checks in Israel before flying home. On November 30 he arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok with other released Thai workers. At home in Nakhon Phanom, his mother Chanthai prepared a traditional wrist-thread ceremony to welcome him.
05
After return
At the airport, Uthai offered condolences for 39 Thai workers killed in the attack or following fighting and called for a moment of silence. He then congratulated the other Thai workers on arriving safely.