UDON THANI — A woman from Udon Thani received heartbreaking news that her son, who was working in Israel, was killed by a rocket attack on her grandson’s birthday. The 11-year-old boy had just sent a voice message asking for his father’s birthday wishes.
Akkaphon Wannasai, age 29, nickname Jo, had traveled to an area near the Lebanese border on October 31 with three other Thai workers – one from Buriram and two from Nakhon Ratchasima. Their Israeli employer had obtained permission for 1-2 hours of work, but they all lost their lives there.
Neighbors who heard the tragic news came to express condolences to Bun-paeng Wannasai, age 56, Akkaphon’s mother, at Village 3, Ban Dong Mak Lot, Mueang Phia Sub-district, Kut Chap District, Udon Thani Province on November 1.
Provincial labor officials visited to offer support and gather information about providing assistance.
Bun-paeng shared that her son had been working in Israel for 4 years as a farmer in fruit orchards and apple picking. He would visit home every year. During the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, he had returned home before going back to work in Israel.
On October 31, which was his son Gave’s 11th birthday, when Gave didn’t receive a birthday call from his father, he sent a voice message saying: “Dad, why haven’t you called me? If you’re working, please just let me know. It’s my birthday today – why haven’t you given me even one word of blessing to make me happy?” But Akkaphon never read this message.
Instead, her son’s senior colleague called Bun-paeng to inform her that Jo and his employer had been killed in an explosion. Gave responded briefly, saying only “My father died on my birthday.”
“I was shocked when I heard the news and cried until I had no tears left. He loved his mother very much and didn’t want me to work hard. He said from now on I would live comfortably. He said he would take care of his father and me, video calling us every day to talk with his only son. He asked me to be patient, saying he would return home next year,” Bun-paeng said.
She added that her son was always hardworking, never going out for leisure while in Thailand. Working abroad, he saved money to build her a house and buy his father a car. He was planning to save more money before returning home permanently, but his life was cut short.
Government agencies have now informed her of her rights and expressed condolences. She wishes to receive her son’s body for funeral rites at home but must wait for confirmation from the embassy about when the body will arrive.
“If my son’s spirit can hear, I want to tell Jo that he is my heart. I don’t know how long I can go on. No matter how much I think about it, I cannot bring my son’s life back,” she said tearfully.
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