In the wake of the attack, some 7,000 returned home, primarily on government evacuation flights, but higher wages have continued to attract new arrivals. Thai ambassador to Israel Pannabha Chandraramya said Thursday that there are now more than 38,000 Thai workers in the country.

The horrific suffering of five Thai farm workers held by Palestinian Hamas militants ended with an emotional exchange on Thursday, alongside three released Israeli hostages, after intense diplomatic efforts that at times frayed relations between Bangkok and Jerusalem.

Five Thai nationals freed by Hamas on Thursday (January 30) were welcomed by ambassador Pannabha Chandraramya and Shamir Medical Centre staff waving Thai and Israeli flags. Pongsak Thenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Seathao and Surasak Rumnao were working on Israeli farms near Gaza when they were taken as hostages.