Nong Khai Family Devastated by Worker’s Death in Gaza War

Relatives of Mr. Sutthisak Rintalak, a Thai worker who was taken hostage during the conflict in Gaza, are devastated by the tragic news of his death.

NONG KHAI – The family of a Thai worker who was taken hostage during the conflict in Gaza is devastated by the tragic news of his death, although they had prepared themselves mentally. They are still hoping for the release of other workers who are still being held captive as each of them fled poverty to work abroad in search of a better life.

Mr. Sutthisak Rintalak, 43, residing at 170 Moo 11, Phra Bat Na Singha Subdistrict, Rattana Wapi District, Nong Khai Province, was one of the workers from Nong Khai who wanted to work in agriculture in Israel. He was taken hostage on October 7, 2023, and his family was only recently informed of his death on 16 May 2024.

On May 17, a Khao Sod reporter in Nong Khai Province visited Mr. Sutthisak’s home and met his parents, Mr. Thongma Rintalak, 73, and Mrs. On Rintalak, 75. They were at home, grieving over the news.

Mr. Si Saengrit, the village headman of Ban Non Samran, Moo 11, brought villagers to help clean and prepare the house for Mr. Sutthisak’s funeral. Amidst the sadness, relatives broke into tears as they looked at his photos.

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Mr. Thongma Rintalak, 73, and Mrs. On Rintalak, 75, show their son’s photo after receiving the tragic news that their son died while being held hostage in Gaza.

Mr. Thongma Rintalak, father of the deceased, said that Mr. Sutthisak was the youngest of their two children. He had been married and divorced without children. On August 10, 2017, Mr. Sutthisak, along with friends from the same village, applied for agricultural work in Israel. He worked continuously until the Gaza conflict occurred, resulting in him and other Thai workers being taken hostage.

After hearing the news, the parents prayed for their son’s safety, but also feared that he might already have died. They kept checking with the authorities for news. On the evening of 16 May, they heard from relatives that the authorities had called to confirm Mr. Sutthisak’s death. Although they had prepared themselves to some extent, Mrs. On was still overwhelmed with grief.

“We still hope that the group holding the remaining Thai workers will release them. Every worker is fighting for a better life and fleeing poverty to work abroad. We do not want other families to experience the same tragedy as ours. From now on, our eldest son will be the only one to take care of us,” said Mr. Thongma.

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The parents of a Thai worker who died in Gaza are still hoping for the release of other workers who are still being held captive as each of them fled poverty to work abroad in search of a better life.

Relatives of Mr. Sutthisak said they are waiting to see if his body or ashes will be returned to the family. They are preparing for the funeral. If neither his body nor ashes are returned, they will invite monks to conduct a merit-making ceremony with his photo.

Ms. Sommai Thiamkan, a labor official in Nong Khai, stated that the deceased would initially receive benefits including 50,000 baht as compensation for Thai workers affected by the riots in Israel, 31,108.26 baht from the old-age pension of the Social Security Fund and 40,000 baht from the Employment Assistance Fund for Thai Workers Abroad, Department of Labor.

At the international level, compensation will include payment of Israeli social security and unpaid wages and severance pay, which will be coordinated with the relevant agencies. The Nong Khai Labor Office has also assisted the parents in submitting documents to the Rattanawapi District Office to apply for these benefits.

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