BNGKOK – The remains of the last Thai national held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip were handed over to Israeli authorities yesterday through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The Thai Foreign Ministry confirmed the return, marking a somber conclusion to the hostage crisis for Thailand following the October 7 attacks.

Remains of Thai Hostage to be Repatriated from Israel Following Ceasefire Agreement

Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura stated that the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv was notified by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas had released the body. Forensic examination identified the remains as those of Sudthisak Rinthalak, a native of Nong Khai province in northeastern Thailand.

BREAKING: The hostage body returned from Gaza has been identified as Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak.

Rinthalak, an agricultural worker, was murdered by terrorists on October 7, 2023.

Mathis memory forever be a blessing 🕯️ pic.twitter.com/1OlSINCw4l

— Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) December 4, 2025

According to the ministry, Sudthisak was killed on October 7, 2023, during the coordinated attacks launched by Hamas from Gaza into Israel, which resulted in the deaths of more than 1,200 people, including over 70 foreign nationals. The Thai ambassador in Tel Aviv has personally informed Sudthisak’s mother in Nong Khai of the recovery and assured her that the embassy is coordinating with relevant Israeli agencies to repatriate his remains to Thailand as soon as possible.

Five Thai Hostages Freed by Hamas Return to Thailand

Nikorndej also expressed Thailand’s profound gratitude to all nations involved in efforts to secure the release of hostages and the return of the deceased. The October 7 attack claimed the lives of at least 39 Thai agricultural workers in the region, while 31 Thai hostages taken by Hamas were previously released alive over the course of the conflict.

-Thailand News (TN)