BANGKOK -- From a hydroponics farm in Binyamina, far from the fighting in Gaza, Wachiraphat Sayan heard about the fates of fellow migrant workers from Thailand taken hostage by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that attacked Israel on October 7. But leaving was never a consideration for the 33-year-old from northern Chiang Rai province.
Middle East crisis
Thai workers in Israel return to pre-war level after October exodus
Farmers trapped between conflict abroad and low wages at home
Natthaporn Onkaew, 26, was embraced by his father, Thawatchai, 47, when he arrived back home on Dec. 1 after being held hostage in Gaza for nearly two months by Hamas. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
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