5 Thai hostages arrive back home after being released by Hamas

Five Thai hostages who spent 15 months being held by Hamas arrived in Bangkok early Sunday after they were released last month.

THALI, Thailand — There were cheers and applause as Watchara Sriaoun stepped out of the white van, his hands clasped together to greet the crowd as he finally returned to his village in Thailand after being swept up in a war on the other side of the world.

"I don't know how to describe it," said Watchara, 33. "It's like being reborn."

Watchara and four other former Thai hostages arrived in Bangkok earlier Sunday, days after being released by Hamas after 15 months of captivity.

The group, which also included Sarusak Rumnao, 32, Sathian Suwannakham, 35, Pongsak Thaenna, 36, and Bannawat Saethao, 27, was released as part of the hostage-prisoners exchange deal Israel struck with Hamas last month.

They were met at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok by family members as well as Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and the Israeli ambassador to Thailand, Orna Sagiv, before continuing on to their hometowns.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/5-thai-hostages-arrive-back-home-released-hamas-rcna191145

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