Thailand's government has seen photographic evidence that Thai hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are alive, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told reporters on Monday, APA reports citing CNN.
Without stating how many photos, or how many of the 24 Thai nationals the government has confirmed were taken hostage could be seen in them, Srettha said: "I understand, at the very least, they are alive."
“Our next point of consideration is the period when there is a temporary ceasefire, let’s say a day or two, that could be a window to evacuate (hostages),” he said.
Thailand has been one of Israel’s biggest sources of migrant labor for decades, and many of the Thai hostages were captured while working in the south of the country near the Gaza border when Hamas militants attacked on October 7.
Last week, Thailand's Foreign Ministry said it had secured "full support" from Iran, Qatar and Egypt to help negotiate the release of Thai hostages.
Malaysia has also provided significant assistance with the negotiations, Srettha said Monday.