BANGKOK, Thailand – Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday confirmed the recovery of the body of an additional Thai national who died following the October 7, 2023, attacks in Israel, with efforts ongoing to locate the one remaining missing person.
Mr. Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of the Department of Information and MFA Spokesperson, stated that the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv received a preliminary report from Israeli authorities on the morning of October 19, 2025. The report followed a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas on October 13, 2025, which included the return of remaining bodies from the Gaza Strip.
The recovered body has been identified as that of Mr. Sonthaya Akkarasri, one of the two remaining Thai nationals unaccounted for since the attack. Israeli forensic agencies are currently conducting identity verification, and the Thai Embassy will arrange for the immediate repatriation of the remains once Mr. Sonthaya’s identity is officially confirmed.
Mr. Nikorndej extended the Ministry’s deepest condolences to Mr. Sonthaya’s family, noting they had waited over two years for this news. He affirmed that the MFA and the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv will continue to work closely with all parties to urgently locate and repatriate the last remaining body to its family. (TNA)
