The tender embrace of a mother and her son echoed across Suvarnabhumi airport. The figure of her son, Saksit Wichitthongchai was one of the 244 fortunate Thai nationals to return safely from the conflict-ridden territories of Israel late on Monday evening. Each returnee bore their unique yet similar stories of survival and resilience in the face of uncertainty and danger, their experiences marked by the harrowing backdrop of warfare.
Saksit, hailing from Khon Kaen, still carried the haunting semblance of fear that he lived with each day in the Israeli labour camp. Their lives were punctuated by the relentless strife of the Hamas insurgents. Saksit and his Thai compatriots navigated this tumultuous landscape, weapons in tow as they sought to protect themselves.
“At night,” he shared, his voice trembling, “we would be encircled with crossfire, each of us carrying knives, our only means of protection.” His recollections became deeply personal as he recounted the chilling news of the nearby labour camp. Seven or eight of their fellow workers had been mercilessly extinguished in the disarray of the Hamas onslaught.
Yet, amidst this petrifying backdrop, Saksit and his contingent’s camp remained miraculously unscathed. Nestled 30 kilometers away from the main war zone, their sanctuary, although resonating with the auditory chaos of incessant fighting, remained a haven devoid of casualties.
The exodus was executed with precision. All 60 Thai workers from Saksit’s camp were evacuated without harm or loss. In fact, these 60 valiant souls were only part of a larger contingent of Thai learners and workers seeking to return to their homeland. Saksit and the fifth wave of returnees materialized on Monday night with 33 Thai students from two universities.
The flight — EI AI LY085 — that became the deliverance vehicle for the Thai nationals, commenced its journey from the chaos of Tel Aviv at about 8.46 am. The aircraft’s final descent at Suvarnabhumi airport in the Samut Prakan province occurred at 9.01 pm on Monday.
This return was more than just a homecoming for the brave Thai nationals. It was a symbolic beacon of hope and fortitude. As Saksit and his companions disembarked, they were met with the familiar faces of their loved ones and the diligent officials of their homeland. Deputy Director of the Department of Employment, Boonyawee Khwaiphan, along with other labor officials and airport personnel greeted the returning nationals—a testimony to Thailand’s undying love and abiding support for its global workforce.
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