THAILAND’s foreign minister began an urgent visit to Qatar and Egypt today for talks on the fate of 22 Thais taken hostage by Hamas in its attack on Israel.

Israeli authorities said more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, were killed in an attack launched by Hamas on October 7 from the Gaza Strip.

In response, the Israeli military has pounded Gaza, where the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry said more than 8,300 have been killed – more than 3,000 of them children.

More than 230 hostages were being held by Hamas in Gaza, showed the latest Israeli figures – 22 of them Thai nationals, the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok has said.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said yesterday his government was working to get Thais home.

He dispatched Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara to meet the Qatari prime minister and foreign minister today, before talks with the Egyptian foreign minister tomorrow.

Parnpree would “discuss the situation of Thai nationals being held hostage as a result of the ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza”, the ministry said in a statement.

About 30,000 Thais were working in Israel, many in the agricultural sector, when the conflict erupted.

At least 32 Thais have been killed in the conflict and 19 wounded, said Bangkok.

“We are more like victims of the war,” Srettha told reporters before a trip to Laos yesterday.

“We have been more affected because there are more workers from Thailand in Israel than from other countries.”

Srettha said the government would provide financial help for Thais wanting to return home from Israel.

“The reason why Thais won’t return to Thailand is because of money,” he said.

“We are providing financial aid of 50,000 baht (RM6,628.96) per person, including those who already returned,” Srettha told reporters. – AFP, October 31, 2023.