Why did Hamas take so many Thai farmers as hostages?
Israel has announced the retrieval of the body of Nattapong Pinta, a 35-year-old Thai hostage who was abducted during the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Pinta was among a group of 31 Thais kidnapped by Hamas, and Thailand’s foreign ministry has confirmed he is the last Thai hostage in Gaza. Two other bodies remain uncollected, while reports indicate that 46 Thais have lost their lives during the ongoing conflict.
The Thai hostages constituted the largest group of foreign captives held by Hamas. Thailand’s strong presence in Israel can be traced back to economic needs. The country began importing migrant workers, including a significant number from Thailand, following the first Intifada from 1987 to 1993.
Today, Thais are the largest group of agricultural laborers in Israel, drawn by higher wages in comparison to those available in their home country. A bilateral agreement between Thailand and Israel, established a decade ago, has facilitated this labor migration, particularly in the agriculture sector. However, the working conditions for Thai laborers have faced criticism.
A 2015 report by Human Rights Watch highlighted various issues, including inadequate housing, substandard wages, and long working hours that exceed legal limits. More recent findings indicate that many Thai workers still earn below the legal minimum wage. Before the outbreak of violence, approximately 30,000 Thai workers were employed in Israel, primarily in agriculture.
Following the recent attack, about 7,000 have returned to Thailand. Nonetheless, high wages continue to attract new workers, with current estimates putting the number of Thai nationals in Israel at over 38,000. In response to labor shortages caused by the exodus, Israel’s Agriculture Ministry has announced incentives to lure foreign workers back, including extended work visas and monthly bonuses.
Labor opportunities in Israel remain appealing, especially for workers from economically disadvantaged regions in Thailand.