Thai worker survives Gaza conflict, returns home after delayed salary payment

Thai worker Charnchai Chidkhoksung, who was based just 7 kilometres from the Gaza Strip, recently experienced the peril of war first-hand. The 31 year old was reunited with his family on Sunday night after enduring three months of conflict while working as a tomato collector in the embattled region.

Charnchai and his colleagues were witnesses to the Hamas attacks, which began on October 7. The severity of the situation became real for him when a siren rang out while he was at the farm, prompting his boss to order the team to seek refuge in a shelter.

For hours, Charnchai was confined in the shelter, the booming sounds of bombs and gunfire resonating ominously. The news of casualties filled him with dread, as he thought of his wife and two young children, aged eight and five, back home in Thailand.

When the Thai government initiated a programme to repatriate workers trapped in the Gaza conflict, Charnchai was initially inclined to join. However, he decided to postpone his return as he was yet to receive his final salary payment of 70,000 baht, which was due on October 12, reported Bangkok Post.

“I have a loan from my aunt for almost 100,000 baht (US$2,755) for travel costs. Luckily, she did not include any interest, as she told me to come back home anytime.”

Having received his final payment, Charnchai registered his repatriation with the government and plans to work at his mother’s restaurant in his hometown before seeking new employment.

“My earnings are much less in Thailand, but I will never go back to Israel again.”

On Sunday, 506 Thai nationals, including six women, 300 men and Charnchai, returned to Thailand on three flights. As per the Public Health Ministry, nine returnees were diagnosed with respiratory issues during medical screening.

Furthermore, the first round of psychological screening diagnosed 39 returnees as suffering from trauma; 37 at moderate levels, and one each at high and extreme levels.

More than 10% of the 3,150 returnees who underwent psychological screening were found to be mentally traumatised, painting a stark picture of the harrowing experiences endured by the Thai workers amid the Gaza conflict.

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