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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Rebecca Ratcliffe and Navaon Siradapuvadol in Bangkok

‘I recognised him right away’: Thai woman describes joy and relief as her brother is freed by Hamas

Image of Vetoon Phoome, 33, one of the Thai hostages released by Hamas, in Bangkok airport before he travelled to Israel
Image of Vetoon Phoome, 33, one of the Thai hostages released by Hamas, in Bangkok airport before he travelled to Israel Photograph: Rungarun Wichangern/supplied

Rungarun Wichangern was lying on her bed, staring at her phone and hoping desperately for news, when she spotted the photo. An image had been shared on Facebook, showing 10 Thai workers who had been held hostage in Gaza for seven weeks, finally being driven to safety.

She felt sure her younger brother, 33-year-old Vetoon Phoome, who had been working on a farm close to Gaza, and was abducted on 7 October, was among those freed.

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