Five citizens released by Hamas through Turkish diplomatic efforts as part of the ceasefire agreement with Israel arrived in the Thai capital, Bangkok, on Sunday.

According to a report in the Bangkok Post, a plane carrying Thai citizens released by Hamas on January 30 has landed at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Upon arrival at the airport, the Thais, who had been held in the Gaza Strip for 16 months, were greeted by their family members and senior government figures.

"The tears of joy shed by the families are a moral support to all the government officials involved," Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said in press statements during the reception.

Sanjiampongsa added that the Thai government would do "everything in its power" to return other Thai citizens believed to still be held by Hamas.

On January 30, 2025, the Turkish Presidency's Communications Department announced that 5 Thai citizens who were kidnapped during the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, were released as part of the ceasefire between Israel and the movement, thanks to Turkish efforts.

A ceasefire agreement in Gaza and a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel went into effect on January 19, with the mediation of Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

The agreement consists of 3 stages, each lasting 42 days, during which negotiations will take place to start a second and third stage, leading to the end of the war of extermination.