Thailand in talks with Iran, other nations for Hamas hostage release

BANGKOK (Reuters) — Thailand is in touch with Iran and other regional governments that can make contact with Palestinian group Hamas for the safe release of nearly two dozen Thai hostages it is holding, its foreign minister said on Friday.

Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Thailand’s top diplomat who was in the Middle East earlier this week, said Iran was close to Hamas and has promised to help with negotiations.

At least 23 Thai nationals were among more than 240 people taken hostage when Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7 in the deadliest day of the country’s 75-year history. Of the more than 1,400 people Israel says were killed in the rampage, at least 32 were Thai.

Qatar, Iran and Egypt have agreed to send Thailand’s request to free the hostages to Hamas immediately, Thailand’s foreign ministry said.

“I wanted them to convey that to Hamas, because I’m worried Hamas doesn’t know that they are just agriculture workers,” Pranpree told a press conference.

About 30,000 Thai labourers work in Israel, mainly in the farm sector, and 7,200 of those have since been repatriated, according to the foreign ministry.

Iran says it supports Hamas but did not play any role in the militants’ attack on Israel last month.