Bangkok (AP) – Israel has reported that the remains of a 35-year-old Thai hostage have been recovered. This individual was implicated in the Gaza attacks that began on October 7, 2023, triggering the ongoing conflict.
Nattapon Pinta was one of 31 Thais recorded by an extremist group from Hamas. Thailand’s Foreign Ministry confirmed on Saturday that Pinta, the final Thai hostage from Gaza, is now confirmed deceased. It was noted that the other two bodies have yet to be retrieved.
The ministry reported that a total of 46 Thais lost their lives in the conflict. Thai nationals comprised the largest group of foreign hostages captured by Hamas, representing a portion of the tens of thousands of Thai workers in Israel. Let’s examine their situation.
What accounts for the large Thai presence in Israel?
Historically, Israel depended heavily on Palestinian workers; however, the landscape shifted significantly following the First Intifada from 1987 to 1993, leading to an influx of immigrant workers.
Today, most foreign agricultural workers in Israel are from Thailand, where they earn considerably higher wages than in their home country.
Ten years ago, Thailand and Israel signed bilateral agreements to streamline the recruitment of agricultural sector workers.
Despite this, Israel has faced criticism for the treatment of Thai farm laborers. A 2015 report from Human Rights Watch highlighted issues such as inadequate housing, sub-minimum wage payments, excessive working hours, unsafe working conditions, and restrictions preventing workers from changing employers.
A recent investigation by a watchdog group found that many workers are still receiving wages below the legal minimum.
What is the number of Thai workers in Israel?
Prior to the Hamas assault, around 30,000 Thais were employed in Israel, primarily in agriculture.
In the aftermath of the attack, approximately 7,000 returned home. Nevertheless, the higher wages available in Israel continue to entice new arrivals, despite government evacuation flights.
The Thai ambassador to Israel, Pannaba Chandraramiya, recently stated that there are currently over 38,000 Thais in the country.
What has transpired since their departure?
In response to the labor shortages caused by the departures, Israel’s Agriculture Ministry has rolled out incentives to encourage foreign workers to return to the evacuated regions.
The initiative includes extending work visas and offering bonuses of approximately $500 per month.
The Thai Ministry of Labor has authorized the recruitment of 3,966 Thai workers in Israel for 2024, maintaining Israel as one of the top four destinations for Thai workers abroad last year.
Generally, Thai migrant workers hail from economically disadvantaged areas, particularly in the Northeast, where prior to the bonuses, employment in Israel provided multiple times the income they could earn at home.
Source: apnews.com