1 00:00:00,159 --> 00:00:02,460 Speaker 1: You're listening to AC N A podcast. 2 00:00:08,609 --> 00:00:11,289 Speaker 1: Hello and welcome to CN A correspondent with me, Steve Fly. 3 00:00:11,529 --> 00:00:14,109 Speaker 1: The latest escalation of violence in the Middle East has 4 00:00:14,119 --> 00:00:17,430 Speaker 1: dominated headlines and you can find extensive coverage of the 5 00:00:17,440 --> 00:00:20,110 Speaker 1: conflict between Israel and Hamas on our website CN A 6 00:00:20,120 --> 00:00:23,878 Speaker 1: dot Asia. But for this episode of CN A correspondent, 7 00:00:23,959 --> 00:00:27,350 Speaker 1: you'll hear how the citizens of a Southeast Asian nation 8 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:29,309 Speaker 1: have been caught in the crossfire. 9 00:00:30,889 --> 00:00:33,528 Speaker 1: We knew about the risks and we were willing to 10 00:00:33,540 --> 00:00:37,159 Speaker 1: take them. But once there, it wasn't like we imagined 11 00:00:37,168 --> 00:00:41,569 Speaker 1: this was the heaviest bombardment since normally they shoot at 12 00:00:41,580 --> 00:00:44,240 Speaker 1: the sky, but this time they were aiming on the 13 00:00:44,250 --> 00:00:48,098 Speaker 1: ground as well and the ties, some were shots and 14 00:00:48,110 --> 00:00:50,519 Speaker 1: some were burned. Like some of you might have heard 15 00:00:50,529 --> 00:00:53,019 Speaker 1: it from the news. There are a lot more ties 16 00:00:53,029 --> 00:00:55,119 Speaker 1: that have been killed, that's been reported. 17 00:00:55,750 --> 00:00:58,049 Speaker 1: That was a returning Thai national who is one of 18 00:00:58,060 --> 00:01:01,849 Speaker 1: over 8000 Thais who have been evacuated from Israel so far. 19 00:01:02,060 --> 00:01:05,289 Speaker 1: He's one of the lucky ones. 32 were killed in 20 00:01:05,300 --> 00:01:09,169 Speaker 1: the 7th October attack on Israel's soil and 23 were 21 00:01:09,180 --> 00:01:13,220 Speaker 1: captured and are being held hostage by Hamas. They account 22 00:01:13,230 --> 00:01:15,739 Speaker 1: for one of the highest numbers of foreigners from any 23 00:01:15,750 --> 00:01:19,589 Speaker 1: single country held captive since hostilities broke out more than 24 00:01:19,599 --> 00:01:20,400 Speaker 1: four weeks ago. 25 00:01:21,069 --> 00:01:23,129 Speaker 1: And for more on how Thai authorities are looking to 26 00:01:23,139 --> 00:01:26,870 Speaker 1: safeguard its 30,000 citizens in Israel. I'm joined by our 27 00:01:26,879 --> 00:01:30,518 Speaker 1: Thailand correspondent Saki Sai Soba Saxy. Great to have you 28 00:01:30,529 --> 00:01:32,250 Speaker 1: on today. Good to be here. 29 00:01:32,680 --> 00:01:35,430 Speaker 1: Now, let's start with events on the seventh of October. 30 00:01:35,550 --> 00:01:38,089 Speaker 1: Where were you when you heard about it? And how 31 00:01:38,099 --> 00:01:40,300 Speaker 1: did you learn that Thai nationals were caught up in 32 00:01:40,309 --> 00:01:43,139 Speaker 1: the attack? Well, I was at home when I first 33 00:01:43,150 --> 00:01:46,269 Speaker 1: saw the news flashes coming out of Israel and Gaza 34 00:01:46,279 --> 00:01:49,589 Speaker 1: and I think pretty sure like anybody else. I was 35 00:01:49,599 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 1: stunned to hear just the odd of magnitude how these 36 00:01:53,129 --> 00:01:54,290 Speaker 1: events have unfolded 37 00:01:54,540 --> 00:01:58,540 Speaker 1: and very quickly I actually had on my mind, we 38 00:01:58,550 --> 00:02:01,480 Speaker 1: actually have Thai citizens over there that are working there 39 00:02:01,489 --> 00:02:04,809 Speaker 1: as migrant workers. How are they faring? Of course, most 40 00:02:04,819 --> 00:02:08,889 Speaker 1: of the attention was on the Israelis themselves and the Palestinians. 41 00:02:09,139 --> 00:02:13,520 Speaker 1: But it soon immersed the extent of how ties were 42 00:02:13,529 --> 00:02:14,320 Speaker 1: affected over there. 43 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:16,839 Speaker 1: And I must admit I was a little surprised to 44 00:02:16,850 --> 00:02:20,059 Speaker 1: hear that there were actually or are actually 30,000 Thai 45 00:02:20,070 --> 00:02:23,470 Speaker 1: nationals in Israel. Tell us more about who they are 46 00:02:23,479 --> 00:02:24,299 Speaker 1: and what they do there. 47 00:02:24,610 --> 00:02:29,389 Speaker 1: So basically the vast majority of these 30,000 Thai nationals 48 00:02:29,399 --> 00:02:33,149 Speaker 1: that we have in Israel are migrant workers. They work there. 49 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:36,250 Speaker 1: As farm hands and they are mostly male. They are 50 00:02:36,258 --> 00:02:39,109 Speaker 1: mostly coming from Isan, which is in the northeast of 51 00:02:39,119 --> 00:02:43,149 Speaker 1: Thailand and more rural uh in many cases impoverished or 52 00:02:43,160 --> 00:02:46,600 Speaker 1: poorer regions. So that's why they're halfway across the world 53 00:02:46,610 --> 00:02:47,668 Speaker 1: trying to earn a living. 54 00:02:48,179 --> 00:02:49,839 Speaker 1: And how did they end up there in the first place? 55 00:02:49,850 --> 00:02:53,160 Speaker 1: So this started since the late 19 eighties and the 56 00:02:53,169 --> 00:02:57,679 Speaker 1: early 19 nineties when Israel was partially looking to replace 57 00:02:57,690 --> 00:03:01,380 Speaker 1: Palestinians working in the agriculture sector and they were looking 58 00:03:01,389 --> 00:03:04,440 Speaker 1: around and it just happened to be a match with Thailand. 59 00:03:04,449 --> 00:03:07,770 Speaker 1: And ever since then, both countries have agreed that Thailand 60 00:03:07,779 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 1: would send migrant workers to Israel as a labor force 61 00:03:11,610 --> 00:03:13,389 Speaker 1: over there and that's how it happened. 62 00:03:13,809 --> 00:03:15,770 Speaker 1: So it's actually given that this goes back to the 63 00:03:15,779 --> 00:03:18,668 Speaker 1: late 19 eighties and has been the steady stream in 64 00:03:18,679 --> 00:03:22,550 Speaker 1: the numbers now, up to 30,000, they must be making 65 00:03:22,619 --> 00:03:25,460 Speaker 1: a better living and, and having a better life over there. Well, 66 00:03:25,470 --> 00:03:27,500 Speaker 1: they certainly do earn a lot more money than they 67 00:03:27,508 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 1: would back at home. We are talking right now about 68 00:03:29,970 --> 00:03:33,429 Speaker 1: an average of $1000 per month. And obviously, you can 69 00:03:33,440 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 1: imagine that a large chunk of it, they would also 70 00:03:36,009 --> 00:03:39,059 Speaker 1: send back home to their families. But then more often 71 00:03:39,070 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 1: than not, despite the money, despite the fact that they 72 00:03:41,369 --> 00:03:43,229 Speaker 1: are earning a lot more than they would be at home, 73 00:03:43,570 --> 00:03:47,350 Speaker 1: some of these people are subject to substandard working conditions 74 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:51,270 Speaker 1: we have heard reports of exploitation, for example, you know, 75 00:03:51,279 --> 00:03:54,178 Speaker 1: working long hours, not getting paid on time, living in 76 00:03:54,190 --> 00:03:58,410 Speaker 1: substandard living conditions, basically like small huts and everything. And 77 00:03:58,419 --> 00:04:01,710 Speaker 1: let's also not forget that many of them are living 78 00:04:01,960 --> 00:04:04,589 Speaker 1: in actual danger. They are exposed 79 00:04:04,686 --> 00:04:08,856 Speaker 1: to danger of airstrikes by Palestinian militants. And this is 80 00:04:08,865 --> 00:04:11,046 Speaker 1: not the first time it has happened. We have heard 81 00:04:11,055 --> 00:04:15,505 Speaker 1: reports over the years of Thai migrant workers being killed 82 00:04:15,516 --> 00:04:18,765 Speaker 1: by Hamas airstrikes. We actually did a report about this 83 00:04:18,776 --> 00:04:21,485 Speaker 1: two years ago when the last time it happened when 84 00:04:21,496 --> 00:04:24,105 Speaker 1: two migrant workers were killed. And that has raised the 85 00:04:24,115 --> 00:04:25,705 Speaker 1: attention a bit about 86 00:04:25,802 --> 00:04:28,052 Speaker 1: how are they being actually kept safe? Are there for 87 00:04:28,351 --> 00:04:32,342 Speaker 1: security drills? Are the air sirens happening? Of course, the 88 00:04:32,351 --> 00:04:36,671 Speaker 1: Israeli authorities would insist that these are commonplace but there 89 00:04:36,682 --> 00:04:40,671 Speaker 1: are also eyewitness reports that these are not commonplace over there. 90 00:04:40,682 --> 00:04:43,182 Speaker 1: And then that brings us up to these current events. 91 00:04:43,190 --> 00:04:46,101 Speaker 1: Then with Thai nationals making up a high proportion of 92 00:04:46,111 --> 00:04:48,782 Speaker 1: the hostages and we know as well that 32 were 93 00:04:48,791 --> 00:04:51,510 Speaker 1: killed in the attack. How was it that so many 94 00:04:51,522 --> 00:04:53,971 Speaker 1: of them were in the wrong place at the wrong time? 95 00:04:54,320 --> 00:04:56,738 Speaker 1: I think you said it yourself wrong place wrong time. 96 00:04:56,750 --> 00:04:59,820 Speaker 1: We mentioned before that many of these workers work as 97 00:04:59,829 --> 00:05:02,579 Speaker 1: farm hands and many of these farms in this case 98 00:05:02,589 --> 00:05:05,940 Speaker 1: are close to Gaza, so directly at the front line, 99 00:05:05,950 --> 00:05:08,669 Speaker 1: so to speak. When that happened. I'm saying wrong place 100 00:05:08,678 --> 00:05:11,380 Speaker 1: at the wrong time because it's just a numbers game, right? 101 00:05:11,390 --> 00:05:14,100 Speaker 1: Because there are so many ties out there at the 102 00:05:14,109 --> 00:05:15,739 Speaker 1: front line at the place where it happened 103 00:05:16,165 --> 00:05:20,346 Speaker 1: that naturally also results in many Thai victims. Now having 104 00:05:20,355 --> 00:05:23,505 Speaker 1: said that there are eyewitness accounts of some Thai that 105 00:05:23,515 --> 00:05:25,105 Speaker 1: have made it out of there. And that are also 106 00:05:25,115 --> 00:05:27,984 Speaker 1: now back here in Thailand, they actually said that they 107 00:05:27,996 --> 00:05:32,335 Speaker 1: have heard Hamas militants when they were attacking their places 108 00:05:32,346 --> 00:05:36,515 Speaker 1: actually calling out to them in Thai saying Thai people 109 00:05:36,526 --> 00:05:37,096 Speaker 1: come out 110 00:05:37,351 --> 00:05:40,652 Speaker 1: in Thai mind you. So that is something that was 111 00:05:40,661 --> 00:05:42,861 Speaker 1: pretty striking. So that of course, has set off a 112 00:05:42,872 --> 00:05:45,992 Speaker 1: flurry of conspiracy theories here in Thailand thinking that whether 113 00:05:46,002 --> 00:05:50,940 Speaker 1: Hamas has directly and specifically targeted Thai people, but at 114 00:05:50,951 --> 00:05:53,391 Speaker 1: least what we can very much say for certainty is 115 00:05:53,402 --> 00:05:56,671 Speaker 1: that Hamas has knowledge that they at least know that 116 00:05:56,682 --> 00:05:58,772 Speaker 1: there are a lot of th right at the doorstep. 117 00:05:59,119 --> 00:06:01,529 Speaker 1: Yeah, and tell us more about those that have returned. 118 00:06:01,540 --> 00:06:03,708 Speaker 1: Then you've spoken to some of them like the person 119 00:06:03,720 --> 00:06:06,649 Speaker 1: we heard from earlier. What else did they tell you? Well, 120 00:06:06,660 --> 00:06:10,559 Speaker 1: they have all talked about very harrowing accounts, especially those 121 00:06:10,570 --> 00:06:13,500 Speaker 1: that are were in front of Gaza. They said that 122 00:06:13,670 --> 00:06:16,500 Speaker 1: it was worse than usual. I mean, I previously talked 123 00:06:16,510 --> 00:06:19,059 Speaker 1: about experiences of migrant workers before 124 00:06:19,549 --> 00:06:22,159 Speaker 1: events that have said yes, they do get the occasional 125 00:06:22,170 --> 00:06:25,359 Speaker 1: airstrike and usually the air defense system of Israel shoots 126 00:06:25,369 --> 00:06:27,959 Speaker 1: them down. But this time, this was a lot more 127 00:06:27,970 --> 00:06:31,440 Speaker 1: intense and a lot more worse than what they have experienced. 128 00:06:31,450 --> 00:06:34,779 Speaker 1: We have heard of people that have been injured and 129 00:06:34,790 --> 00:06:38,290 Speaker 1: we have heard of people that just couldn't imagine that 130 00:06:38,299 --> 00:06:41,450 Speaker 1: these things were happening and their thoughts were just simply 131 00:06:41,459 --> 00:06:43,160 Speaker 1: that they want to just get out of there 132 00:06:43,619 --> 00:06:46,099 Speaker 1: and what's been the public's reaction to these events then 133 00:06:46,109 --> 00:06:49,440 Speaker 1: watching from so far away in Thailand, how has the 134 00:06:49,450 --> 00:06:52,178 Speaker 1: new Prime Minister Sita Tawa in? How has he been 135 00:06:52,190 --> 00:06:54,480 Speaker 1: handling things? I think for the public first, I think 136 00:06:54,488 --> 00:06:56,839 Speaker 1: to be very honest with you, my impression is this 137 00:06:56,850 --> 00:06:59,470 Speaker 1: is the first time that the Thai public actually knows 138 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:01,829 Speaker 1: that we have so many ties over there because there 139 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:03,079 Speaker 1: are migrant workers that 140 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:06,019 Speaker 1: you know, the bank of middle class might not pay 141 00:07:06,029 --> 00:07:08,910 Speaker 1: much attention to them because they are migrant workers from 142 00:07:08,920 --> 00:07:12,070 Speaker 1: rural areas. Now, as for the government, as you just mentioned, 143 00:07:12,079 --> 00:07:15,799 Speaker 1: Setta sin has been Prime Minister just since September. This 144 00:07:15,809 --> 00:07:19,750 Speaker 1: is actually his first real test of him and his government. 145 00:07:19,760 --> 00:07:23,140 Speaker 1: And well, the opinions are pretty divided on that when 146 00:07:23,244 --> 00:07:28,005 Speaker 1: this happened and especially when the first flight of repatriated 147 00:07:28,015 --> 00:07:30,505 Speaker 1: ties touched down on Thailand. He wasn't actually in Thailand, 148 00:07:30,515 --> 00:07:33,065 Speaker 1: he was in Singapore on a state visit at that time. 149 00:07:33,075 --> 00:07:35,734 Speaker 1: So it definitely created the impression that he was a 150 00:07:35,744 --> 00:07:39,165 Speaker 1: little bit more hands off. But then also it also 151 00:07:39,174 --> 00:07:41,875 Speaker 1: goes to show that because he was a former CEO, 152 00:07:41,885 --> 00:07:42,945 Speaker 1: he was a businessman 153 00:07:43,260 --> 00:07:46,140 Speaker 1: and he puts his trust on his ministers to delegate 154 00:07:46,149 --> 00:07:48,480 Speaker 1: that work to them and to take care of them. 155 00:07:48,489 --> 00:07:51,869 Speaker 1: Because at that first flight, when those ties were coming back, 156 00:07:51,880 --> 00:07:54,470 Speaker 1: there were a bunch of other government ministers that were 157 00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:57,470 Speaker 1: taking care of these people from different sectors. Now, 158 00:07:57,899 --> 00:08:01,760 Speaker 1: obviously, as things went on, we have seen Prime Minister 159 00:08:01,929 --> 00:08:05,019 Speaker 1: Sar taking at least a bit more of a proactive role, 160 00:08:05,029 --> 00:08:07,690 Speaker 1: definitely talking about this more and especially talking about the 161 00:08:07,700 --> 00:08:10,820 Speaker 1: fate of the Thai hostages more and we are at 162 00:08:10,829 --> 00:08:13,309 Speaker 1: least definitely seeing that. Yes, this is definitely on his 163 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:16,149 Speaker 1: mind whether or not he has actually proven himself to be, 164 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:18,250 Speaker 1: the jury is still out on this. I guess he 165 00:08:18,260 --> 00:08:20,380 Speaker 1: will determine in a large part as to what happens 166 00:08:20,390 --> 00:08:24,309 Speaker 1: to the hostages that remain being held by Hamas as well. 167 00:08:24,790 --> 00:08:28,119 Speaker 1: S this is happening far away from Thailand and you've 168 00:08:28,130 --> 00:08:31,320 Speaker 1: been reporting on CN A for ever since it's happened, 169 00:08:31,329 --> 00:08:34,200 Speaker 1: tell us what it's been like getting information from the 170 00:08:34,210 --> 00:08:37,109 Speaker 1: ground when you're in Bangkok. I mean, it can't be easy. 171 00:08:37,119 --> 00:08:38,979 Speaker 1: How are you staying on top of this story? No, 172 00:08:38,989 --> 00:08:41,030 Speaker 1: not at all. But it also goes to show that, 173 00:08:41,039 --> 00:08:43,478 Speaker 1: you know, Thai stories do not have to happen in 174 00:08:43,489 --> 00:08:46,650 Speaker 1: Thailand actually. So this is definitely also something new for 175 00:08:46,659 --> 00:08:49,429 Speaker 1: me as well. Obviously, of course, what we can do 176 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:52,228 Speaker 1: from here is not only talk about the Thai perspective 177 00:08:52,239 --> 00:08:53,830 Speaker 1: to talk about the background, why 178 00:08:53,916 --> 00:08:56,216 Speaker 1: so many ties are there in the first place to 179 00:08:56,226 --> 00:08:59,406 Speaker 1: talk to those that have returned and their families. But 180 00:08:59,416 --> 00:09:03,135 Speaker 1: then also, at least for me, I have reached out 181 00:09:03,145 --> 00:09:06,755 Speaker 1: to colleagues in Israel. So I have many international friends 182 00:09:06,765 --> 00:09:08,834 Speaker 1: that used to be here in Bangkok that are now 183 00:09:08,846 --> 00:09:11,856 Speaker 1: in Israel or friends that are here in Bangkok and 184 00:09:11,866 --> 00:09:15,085 Speaker 1: actually have traveled to Israel now to do news over there. 185 00:09:15,096 --> 00:09:17,776 Speaker 1: So basically they are my eyes and ears and it's 186 00:09:17,785 --> 00:09:20,564 Speaker 1: been very helpful to get a broader perspective of actually 187 00:09:20,575 --> 00:09:23,035 Speaker 1: what's going on there and not only be 188 00:09:23,452 --> 00:09:26,971 Speaker 1: narrow minded to only focus on the Thai side of things. Yes. 189 00:09:26,981 --> 00:09:28,611 Speaker 1: And to see it from the outside, we actually get 190 00:09:28,622 --> 00:09:31,391 Speaker 1: the inside track on things very useful and very resourceful 191 00:09:31,401 --> 00:09:33,711 Speaker 1: of you to expand your network and help us to 192 00:09:33,721 --> 00:09:36,361 Speaker 1: gather as much information on this as possible. We're going 193 00:09:36,372 --> 00:09:38,170 Speaker 1: to go for a short break. But next on CN 194 00:09:38,182 --> 00:09:41,002 Speaker 1: A correspondent, you'll hear the lengths that authorities are going 195 00:09:41,011 --> 00:09:44,011 Speaker 1: to to get the Thai hostages released and returned as 196 00:09:44,021 --> 00:09:47,872 Speaker 1: well as the surprising efforts. Israeli employers are making to 197 00:09:47,881 --> 00:09:52,231 Speaker 1: convince Thai workers there to stay despite the growing violence. 198 00:09:58,780 --> 00:10:01,978 Speaker 2: Are you looking for ways to make your money work harder, 199 00:10:02,119 --> 00:10:07,260 Speaker 2: tips on saving investing or retiring early perhaps, or advice 200 00:10:07,270 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 2: on big ticket decisions like buying a house or owning 201 00:10:10,770 --> 00:10:15,359 Speaker 2: a car? I'm Andrea Heng host of cna's top personal 202 00:10:15,369 --> 00:10:17,840 Speaker 2: finance podcast, Money Talks. And the, 203 00:10:17,919 --> 00:10:20,859 Speaker 2: these are some of the things we find out for you. 204 00:10:21,210 --> 00:10:24,539 Speaker 2: Each week, I get a guest to share personal stories 205 00:10:24,549 --> 00:10:27,819 Speaker 2: and answer burning questions that help you make sense of 206 00:10:27,830 --> 00:10:31,728 Speaker 2: the latest financial trends. Go check out the complete money 207 00:10:31,739 --> 00:10:35,859 Speaker 2: talks playlist on the CN A app, Spotify, Google or 208 00:10:35,869 --> 00:10:36,978 Speaker 2: Apple podcasts. 209 00:10:44,650 --> 00:10:46,950 Speaker 1: You're back listening to CN A correspondent with me Steve 210 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:49,979 Speaker 1: Lai in Saky Saom Butt as we turn the discussion 211 00:10:49,989 --> 00:10:53,010 Speaker 1: to the efforts by Thai authorities to bring back its 212 00:10:53,020 --> 00:10:56,440 Speaker 1: citizens caught up in the ongoing Middle East conflict. Here 213 00:10:56,450 --> 00:11:00,109 Speaker 1: is advisor to the Thai House Speaker Arrian Utara in 214 00:11:00,119 --> 00:11:02,979 Speaker 1: revealing its ongoing negotiations with Hamas. 215 00:11:05,159 --> 00:11:09,409 Speaker 2: Having heard from Hamas representatives, they said they are respecting us. 216 00:11:09,419 --> 00:11:12,400 Speaker 2: They will be looking after the Thais. Well, no one 217 00:11:12,409 --> 00:11:15,049 Speaker 2: will be killed because the hostages will be the ones 218 00:11:15,059 --> 00:11:18,190 Speaker 2: telling how they were treated what Hamas is dealing with. 219 00:11:18,200 --> 00:11:20,539 Speaker 2: This is what I want to pass on to you. 220 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:23,978 Speaker 1: So we'll get to the evacuation of those Thai nationals 221 00:11:23,989 --> 00:11:26,390 Speaker 1: in Israel in a bid. But let's start with those 222 00:11:26,400 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 1: being held hostage by Hamas. Do we know who they are? 223 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,940 Speaker 1: Well, we definitely know that most of them are Thai 224 00:11:32,950 --> 00:11:36,020 Speaker 1: migrant workers from the rural North East. That is the 225 00:11:36,030 --> 00:11:40,409 Speaker 1: extent that we know we have heard of families that 226 00:11:40,419 --> 00:11:43,229 Speaker 1: are missing their people over there. But then one thing 227 00:11:43,239 --> 00:11:44,929 Speaker 1: that we have to keep in mind, yes, we do 228 00:11:44,940 --> 00:11:48,869 Speaker 1: keep report certain numbers of hostages, certain number of victims. 229 00:11:48,880 --> 00:11:51,039 Speaker 1: But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here in Thailand, they 230 00:11:51,049 --> 00:11:53,739 Speaker 1: are always insisting that this is the minimum, this is 231 00:11:53,750 --> 00:11:56,799 Speaker 1: the minimum that we actually know. And we have also 232 00:11:56,809 --> 00:11:58,869 Speaker 1: heard from, you know, for example, the return Thai work 233 00:11:59,039 --> 00:12:01,559 Speaker 1: over there who said that he fears that a lot 234 00:12:01,570 --> 00:12:03,760 Speaker 1: more people have died over there. And this is the 235 00:12:03,770 --> 00:12:06,239 Speaker 1: assumption that we have to keep in mind over there 236 00:12:06,250 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 1: because things are very fluid as we like to say, 237 00:12:09,510 --> 00:12:12,630 Speaker 1: very chaotic. And we actually still haven't seen the full 238 00:12:12,640 --> 00:12:15,169 Speaker 1: extent of it one month after it happened. So we 239 00:12:15,179 --> 00:12:17,070 Speaker 1: always have to keep in mind the numbers that we 240 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:19,530 Speaker 1: are reporting the numbers that I say to you on air, 241 00:12:19,539 --> 00:12:22,020 Speaker 1: this is a minimum. So that's why we have to 242 00:12:22,030 --> 00:12:24,169 Speaker 1: say at the time that we are recording this at 243 00:12:24,179 --> 00:12:27,760 Speaker 1: least 23 ties are abducted. It could be more though. 244 00:12:28,179 --> 00:12:30,459 Speaker 1: Yeah, we'll have to see how this sort of continues 245 00:12:30,469 --> 00:12:32,679 Speaker 1: to play out over the days and, and possibly weeks 246 00:12:32,690 --> 00:12:35,750 Speaker 1: ahead or months, even what efforts are being made then 247 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:39,039 Speaker 1: at the moment by Thai authorities to get them released, 248 00:12:39,049 --> 00:12:40,919 Speaker 1: who's in charge or who's working on this. 249 00:12:41,200 --> 00:12:44,599 Speaker 1: Well, that we definitely seeing a flurry of diplomatic activities 250 00:12:44,609 --> 00:12:48,440 Speaker 1: to get those hostages released. We have seen the Thai 251 00:12:48,450 --> 00:12:51,710 Speaker 1: Foreign Minister who just recently came back from the Middle East. 252 00:12:51,719 --> 00:12:55,059 Speaker 1: He went to Egypt to talk to his counterparts over there. 253 00:12:55,070 --> 00:12:57,619 Speaker 1: And he also went to Qatar to talk to his 254 00:12:57,630 --> 00:13:00,919 Speaker 1: counterparts over there. Why Qatar? Because Qatar is a key 255 00:13:00,929 --> 00:13:04,780 Speaker 1: intermediary when it comes to the negotiations of all foreign 256 00:13:04,789 --> 00:13:07,500 Speaker 1: hostages that are happening over there as well. And Qatar 257 00:13:07,510 --> 00:13:08,179 Speaker 1: is also 258 00:13:08,289 --> 00:13:11,090 Speaker 1: a supporter, a close ally of the militant Hamas group 259 00:13:11,099 --> 00:13:14,590 Speaker 1: as well. So this is why it's crucial for Thailand 260 00:13:14,599 --> 00:13:17,219 Speaker 1: when you think about it, all the hostages that are 261 00:13:17,229 --> 00:13:20,959 Speaker 1: currently held by Hamas. 10% of all those are actually 262 00:13:20,969 --> 00:13:23,539 Speaker 1: Thai nationals. This is something when you put it in 263 00:13:23,549 --> 00:13:26,468 Speaker 1: that context, it's quite huge. So this is of course, 264 00:13:26,479 --> 00:13:29,159 Speaker 1: it's important that the Thai government has a vested interest. 265 00:13:29,169 --> 00:13:32,239 Speaker 1: There actually goes there and tries to talk to those 266 00:13:32,250 --> 00:13:35,260 Speaker 1: at least closest to Hamas and to get a 267 00:13:35,380 --> 00:13:38,359 Speaker 1: secure release over there. But then also we have seen 268 00:13:38,369 --> 00:13:41,869 Speaker 1: other negotiation teams going out as well. We have heard 269 00:13:42,000 --> 00:13:45,478 Speaker 1: from the advisor to the house speaker. He was leading 270 00:13:45,489 --> 00:13:49,439 Speaker 1: a delegation to Iran. Iran is also a supporter and 271 00:13:49,450 --> 00:13:52,179 Speaker 1: an ally to Hamas as well. They actually have talked 272 00:13:52,190 --> 00:13:56,439 Speaker 1: to representatives of Hamas in Iran and we have heard 273 00:13:56,450 --> 00:13:59,239 Speaker 1: from the Thai delegation saying that the negotiations have gone 274 00:13:59,250 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 1: smoothly and they say that Hamas has told them that 275 00:14:02,630 --> 00:14:06,450 Speaker 1: the militant group is willing to release all Thai hostages. 276 00:14:06,460 --> 00:14:09,190 Speaker 1: But they're also saying that it is currently not safe 277 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:12,169 Speaker 1: to do so because of the constant bombardment by the 278 00:14:12,179 --> 00:14:16,030 Speaker 1: Israeli military on Gaza. Having said that they also say 279 00:14:16,039 --> 00:14:19,260 Speaker 1: that they haven't had any direct contact to the Thai hostages. 280 00:14:19,349 --> 00:14:21,809 Speaker 1: They also haven't seen any proof of life of that. 281 00:14:21,820 --> 00:14:25,289 Speaker 1: So basically the word of the Hamas militants is the 282 00:14:25,299 --> 00:14:27,500 Speaker 1: only thing to go by. In addition to that, we 283 00:14:27,510 --> 00:14:28,250 Speaker 1: also know from our 284 00:14:28,330 --> 00:14:34,049 Speaker 1: sources that Thai military officers are talking in Malaysia. We 285 00:14:34,059 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 1: do know that there's a Palestinian embassy but having said 286 00:14:36,890 --> 00:14:39,570 Speaker 1: that these people from the Palestinian embassy, they are not 287 00:14:39,580 --> 00:14:42,450 Speaker 1: in control of Gaza. So there's a different faction, but 288 00:14:42,460 --> 00:14:45,489 Speaker 1: definitely it's also another point of contact that is helping there. 289 00:14:45,500 --> 00:14:48,320 Speaker 1: So basically any kind of contact very much helps them. 290 00:14:48,330 --> 00:14:51,549 Speaker 1: Has Thailand ever experienced anything like this before? I mean, 291 00:14:51,559 --> 00:14:53,950 Speaker 1: it must be incredibly difficult to navigate. 292 00:14:54,390 --> 00:14:56,950 Speaker 1: I mean, you mentioned that Qatar is involved and they've 293 00:14:56,960 --> 00:14:59,489 Speaker 1: been speaking to people in Malaysia, they're sort of in 294 00:14:59,500 --> 00:15:02,590 Speaker 1: uncharted territory. Are they not to my recent memory? And 295 00:15:02,599 --> 00:15:05,229 Speaker 1: I was trying to look up similar cases whether or 296 00:15:05,239 --> 00:15:07,140 Speaker 1: not these have happened in the past. And I couldn't 297 00:15:07,150 --> 00:15:10,000 Speaker 1: find anything but curious enough, just a little bit of 298 00:15:10,010 --> 00:15:13,609 Speaker 1: a trivia here. I stumbled across a case here in 299 00:15:13,619 --> 00:15:17,739 Speaker 1: Thailand that actually happened in 1972 when Palestinian militants took 300 00:15:17,750 --> 00:15:20,619 Speaker 1: hostages in the Israel embassy here in Bangkok. There are 301 00:15:20,630 --> 00:15:21,570 Speaker 1: dozens of people 302 00:15:21,650 --> 00:15:24,750 Speaker 1: were held hostage by Palestinian militants having said that this 303 00:15:24,760 --> 00:15:30,299 Speaker 1: incident ended bloodless as the militants were flown out to Cairo. 304 00:15:30,309 --> 00:15:32,500 Speaker 1: But here's a trivia part of it, it happened on 305 00:15:32,510 --> 00:15:35,000 Speaker 1: the same day when the current king has been crowned 306 00:15:35,010 --> 00:15:37,849 Speaker 1: crown prince. Well, it's a good bit of history and 307 00:15:37,859 --> 00:15:41,159 Speaker 1: knowledge for us all. Thanks very much for that. Zaky. 308 00:15:41,250 --> 00:15:44,390 Speaker 1: We do know that so far Hamas has actually released. 309 00:15:44,609 --> 00:15:47,830 Speaker 1: I think about four hostages. Are us citizens. Is there 310 00:15:47,840 --> 00:15:51,070 Speaker 1: optimism then from Thai authorities that they will be able 311 00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:53,140 Speaker 1: to get the Thai nationals back? 312 00:15:53,460 --> 00:15:55,440 Speaker 1: Well, according to what we have heard or at least 313 00:15:55,450 --> 00:15:58,260 Speaker 1: according to what the Thai authorities have told us the 314 00:15:58,270 --> 00:16:02,039 Speaker 1: public and they are saying that the signs are positive. 315 00:16:02,049 --> 00:16:04,830 Speaker 1: You know, we have heard from the House Speaker team 316 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:07,650 Speaker 1: in Iran, they say that things are going well, there 317 00:16:07,659 --> 00:16:12,710 Speaker 1: have been hints from the Qatari negotiating team that things 318 00:16:12,719 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 1: are going very well as they are. But 319 00:16:15,020 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 1: the problem is just simply we do not know we 320 00:16:17,450 --> 00:16:22,260 Speaker 1: do not have any indication or concrete confirmation whether or 321 00:16:22,270 --> 00:16:24,710 Speaker 1: not this could actually happen. And you know, we have 322 00:16:24,719 --> 00:16:26,979 Speaker 1: to keep in mind this is a war zone. We 323 00:16:26,989 --> 00:16:31,030 Speaker 1: are talking about a situation where people are dying at 324 00:16:31,039 --> 00:16:34,080 Speaker 1: a daily rate in very large numbers. And also we 325 00:16:34,090 --> 00:16:37,219 Speaker 1: are dealing with a militant group that are saying now 326 00:16:37,229 --> 00:16:40,960 Speaker 1: that they want to release all foreigners if they can. 327 00:16:41,390 --> 00:16:43,250 Speaker 1: And I have to add that they have told the 328 00:16:43,260 --> 00:16:46,270 Speaker 1: Thai negotiation team that they are taking good care of them. 329 00:16:46,280 --> 00:16:48,780 Speaker 1: They are looking after them. Well, because they have an 330 00:16:48,789 --> 00:16:53,030 Speaker 1: interest to release those ties to come home. And in 331 00:16:53,039 --> 00:16:55,950 Speaker 1: their words, tell the truth about Hamas. But then here 332 00:16:55,960 --> 00:16:58,409 Speaker 1: is the thing. Let's not forget that we have talked 333 00:16:58,419 --> 00:17:00,789 Speaker 1: about the number of Thai nationals that have died. And 334 00:17:00,799 --> 00:17:01,309 Speaker 1: this is among the 335 00:17:01,445 --> 00:17:04,765 Speaker 1: highest number of victims of any foreign nation over there 336 00:17:04,775 --> 00:17:07,864 Speaker 1: as well. So those people that are being held hostage 337 00:17:07,875 --> 00:17:11,104 Speaker 1: by Hamas, we can assume that some of these people 338 00:17:11,114 --> 00:17:13,994 Speaker 1: have seen their fellow countrymen killed by those that are 339 00:17:14,005 --> 00:17:16,824 Speaker 1: holding them hostage right now. But at the same time, 340 00:17:16,974 --> 00:17:20,084 Speaker 1: Hamas is claiming they're looking after them. Well, so they 341 00:17:20,094 --> 00:17:23,165 Speaker 1: can release them. So I mean, this is something that 342 00:17:23,175 --> 00:17:25,504 Speaker 1: goes through my mind. It is something that it's a 343 00:17:25,515 --> 00:17:27,944 Speaker 1: contradiction to say at least if it is a very 344 00:17:27,954 --> 00:17:30,063 Speaker 1: complicated situation as you've laid out, 345 00:17:30,569 --> 00:17:33,218 Speaker 1: let's turn our attention then to the Thai nationals that 346 00:17:33,229 --> 00:17:34,550 Speaker 1: are still in Israel. 347 00:17:34,910 --> 00:17:38,280 Speaker 1: Are there still flights bringing them home? Authorities were quite 348 00:17:38,290 --> 00:17:41,609 Speaker 1: quick to start the process when everything started on October 349 00:17:41,619 --> 00:17:43,969 Speaker 1: the seventh. Very much so. And as you can imagine 350 00:17:43,979 --> 00:17:47,649 Speaker 1: any country, any nation wants to get its countrymen out 351 00:17:47,660 --> 00:17:49,819 Speaker 1: because there is a high demand for that. So um 352 00:17:49,969 --> 00:17:53,060 Speaker 1: as you can imagine that Ben Gurion airport in Tel 353 00:17:53,069 --> 00:17:56,050 Speaker 1: Aviv was quite a traffic jam to say the least. Yes. 354 00:17:56,060 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 1: So after the Thai embassy in Tel Aviv, who are 355 00:17:59,810 --> 00:18:02,419 Speaker 1: working tirelessly at the moment, that has to be said, 356 00:18:02,430 --> 00:18:04,170 Speaker 1: like any other embassy is 357 00:18:04,475 --> 00:18:07,816 Speaker 1: tirelessly at the moment after they have registered a certain 358 00:18:07,826 --> 00:18:10,326 Speaker 1: amount of Thai nationals that want to come back, which 359 00:18:10,336 --> 00:18:13,656 Speaker 1: was around 8000 people. The Thai government was then also 360 00:18:13,666 --> 00:18:16,706 Speaker 1: able to lay out a plan charter their own planes, 361 00:18:16,715 --> 00:18:19,455 Speaker 1: send them over there, put also ties on as many 362 00:18:19,465 --> 00:18:22,864 Speaker 1: commercial flights out of Israel as they can. And we 363 00:18:22,875 --> 00:18:26,234 Speaker 1: have seen them. Now there are over 8000 ties that 364 00:18:26,244 --> 00:18:29,086 Speaker 1: have been repatriated. But keep in mind, we earlier said 365 00:18:29,095 --> 00:18:32,656 Speaker 1: that there are about 30,000 ties in Israel in total. 366 00:18:32,666 --> 00:18:33,705 Speaker 1: So this is 367 00:18:33,802 --> 00:18:36,121 Speaker 1: not even half of it. And the Thai government also 368 00:18:36,131 --> 00:18:38,342 Speaker 1: said that everybody who has registered that want to get 369 00:18:38,352 --> 00:18:41,682 Speaker 1: out is out right now more or less. So they 370 00:18:41,692 --> 00:18:45,341 Speaker 1: are scaling down the number of flights that are going back. 371 00:18:45,352 --> 00:18:48,821 Speaker 1: It doesn't mean that they are not taking ties back home. 372 00:18:48,832 --> 00:18:50,501 Speaker 1: And they are also saying that if there are enough 373 00:18:50,511 --> 00:18:52,982 Speaker 1: people to fill a whole plane that we can charter, 374 00:18:52,991 --> 00:18:55,291 Speaker 1: we will also do so. So it doesn't mean that 375 00:18:55,432 --> 00:18:57,932 Speaker 1: even though things are scaling down that no ties are 376 00:18:57,942 --> 00:19:00,641 Speaker 1: coming home, there are still th coming home just not 377 00:19:00,651 --> 00:19:02,251 Speaker 1: at the same rate as we have seen in the 378 00:19:02,261 --> 00:19:03,161 Speaker 1: past couple of weeks. 379 00:19:03,540 --> 00:19:06,478 Speaker 1: So that means then that some Thais are happy to 380 00:19:06,489 --> 00:19:08,810 Speaker 1: stay in Israel. That seems to be the case because 381 00:19:08,819 --> 00:19:12,020 Speaker 1: we've we did see reports that Thai authorities were assuring 382 00:19:12,089 --> 00:19:14,770 Speaker 1: returning th that they would have jobs to come back 383 00:19:14,780 --> 00:19:16,069 Speaker 1: to it seems like there's a bit of a tug 384 00:19:16,079 --> 00:19:19,300 Speaker 1: of war going on because as I understand it, Israeli 385 00:19:19,310 --> 00:19:22,880 Speaker 1: employers are actually trying to encourage them to stay. So 386 00:19:22,890 --> 00:19:25,760 Speaker 1: how and why are they doing that? Well, happy is 387 00:19:25,770 --> 00:19:27,619 Speaker 1: not probably not the word that I would use here. 388 00:19:27,630 --> 00:19:30,439 Speaker 1: But yes, there are reports and the Thai government 389 00:19:30,521 --> 00:19:33,712 Speaker 1: and the Thai Prime Minister, he was vocally upset about 390 00:19:33,722 --> 00:19:37,011 Speaker 1: it that apparently a large number of Thai migrant workers 391 00:19:37,021 --> 00:19:40,401 Speaker 1: are still staying in Israel for a bunch of different reasons. 392 00:19:40,411 --> 00:19:43,151 Speaker 1: But the emerging narrative that we are hearing over there 393 00:19:43,161 --> 00:19:48,462 Speaker 1: is that some Israeli employers are incentivizing Thai migrant workers 394 00:19:48,472 --> 00:19:51,581 Speaker 1: to stay with for example, higher pay. But then also 395 00:19:51,592 --> 00:19:53,811 Speaker 1: we have to keep in mind that those that are 396 00:19:53,821 --> 00:19:56,890 Speaker 1: currently still staying in Israel and working on a farm, 397 00:19:57,683 --> 00:20:01,563 Speaker 1: not near Gaza anymore, they're in different parts of the country. However, 398 00:20:01,573 --> 00:20:03,943 Speaker 1: as some of you might know that it doesn't mean 399 00:20:03,953 --> 00:20:06,572 Speaker 1: that they are safe because the whole of Israel is 400 00:20:06,583 --> 00:20:10,404 Speaker 1: always under attack at some point during in time. So 401 00:20:10,413 --> 00:20:14,284 Speaker 1: obviously that is one part that we have still ties 402 00:20:14,292 --> 00:20:17,223 Speaker 1: that are staying in Israel because of the money. But 403 00:20:17,234 --> 00:20:20,283 Speaker 1: also because as we mentioned before, they are earning a 404 00:20:20,292 --> 00:20:22,083 Speaker 1: lot more money than they would at home. So that 405 00:20:22,093 --> 00:20:24,404 Speaker 1: is why they are staying those that are coming back, 406 00:20:24,484 --> 00:20:29,446 Speaker 1: they are facing many difficulties, for example, a where can 407 00:20:29,455 --> 00:20:31,514 Speaker 1: they get a job that pays as well as it 408 00:20:31,526 --> 00:20:34,656 Speaker 1: did before. B some of these people also have to 409 00:20:34,666 --> 00:20:36,865 Speaker 1: take a big loan to get there in the first 410 00:20:36,875 --> 00:20:38,706 Speaker 1: place and they have to of course pay it off 411 00:20:38,715 --> 00:20:40,836 Speaker 1: and now they have no means to pay them off 412 00:20:40,845 --> 00:20:42,865 Speaker 1: as well. So this is why the Thai government has 413 00:20:42,875 --> 00:20:45,926 Speaker 1: been very proactive about this. They are trying to subvert 414 00:20:46,345 --> 00:20:48,984 Speaker 1: them on their own to come back. Not only a 415 00:20:48,994 --> 00:20:51,385 Speaker 1: certain handouts, not only low interest 416 00:20:51,468 --> 00:20:54,697 Speaker 1: loans, but they also said for example, about retraining them 417 00:20:54,708 --> 00:20:57,358 Speaker 1: for other jobs. But then again, it goes back to 418 00:20:57,368 --> 00:20:59,936 Speaker 1: the same problem saying that they wouldn't get a job 419 00:20:59,946 --> 00:21:01,807 Speaker 1: here that pays them as much as they can for 420 00:21:01,817 --> 00:21:05,287 Speaker 1: the same field of labor. And this is something that 421 00:21:05,297 --> 00:21:07,608 Speaker 1: Thai Prime Minister set thin has also acknowledged. He has 422 00:21:07,618 --> 00:21:11,287 Speaker 1: said along the lines of, well, there's a reason why 423 00:21:11,297 --> 00:21:14,297 Speaker 1: Thai migrant workers are going over there and we need 424 00:21:14,307 --> 00:21:17,047 Speaker 1: to improve our economy so that they don't have reason 425 00:21:17,057 --> 00:21:18,328 Speaker 1: to go over there, 426 00:21:18,780 --> 00:21:22,069 Speaker 1: you know, difficult situation all around, especially for those stuck 427 00:21:22,079 --> 00:21:23,938 Speaker 1: in having to make that difficult choice of whether to 428 00:21:23,949 --> 00:21:26,709 Speaker 1: stay on in Israel with all the risks associated with 429 00:21:26,719 --> 00:21:30,280 Speaker 1: that or return home and also face numerous challenges of 430 00:21:30,290 --> 00:21:33,770 Speaker 1: putting food on the table. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 431 00:21:33,780 --> 00:21:36,819 Speaker 1: has expressed condolences to Thailand over the deaths of the 432 00:21:36,829 --> 00:21:39,879 Speaker 1: Thai nationals and he's promised full support in rescuing ties 433 00:21:39,890 --> 00:21:41,239 Speaker 1: held hostage by Hamas. 434 00:21:41,640 --> 00:21:44,920 Speaker 1: What has this conflict done for the Thai Israel relationship. 435 00:21:44,930 --> 00:21:47,810 Speaker 1: And has it changed the public's perception of Israel as 436 00:21:47,819 --> 00:21:51,149 Speaker 1: a destination to live and work? It's very interesting. It's 437 00:21:51,160 --> 00:21:53,650 Speaker 1: a very interesting question indeed. So, you know, we have 438 00:21:53,660 --> 00:21:55,260 Speaker 1: to recall ourselves that Thailand 439 00:21:55,550 --> 00:22:00,439 Speaker 1: is among the foreign countries with the highest number of victims. 440 00:22:00,449 --> 00:22:03,630 Speaker 1: And you know, even more than other Western countries, definitely 441 00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:07,050 Speaker 1: more than other Asian countries over there as well. This 442 00:22:07,060 --> 00:22:10,069 Speaker 1: is something, for example, that I have not seen reported elsewhere, 443 00:22:10,079 --> 00:22:12,770 Speaker 1: that much that the highest number of victims are actually 444 00:22:12,780 --> 00:22:15,869 Speaker 1: tied that are coming from far away, that are coming 445 00:22:15,880 --> 00:22:19,010 Speaker 1: to Israel to live and work and earn a good living, 446 00:22:19,020 --> 00:22:21,489 Speaker 1: a better living than they would back at home. So 447 00:22:21,579 --> 00:22:25,379 Speaker 1: will this change Israel Thai relations? I'm not certain about 448 00:22:25,390 --> 00:22:28,469 Speaker 1: that because these ties have been very strong and you 449 00:22:28,479 --> 00:22:31,359 Speaker 1: also have to keep in mind that Israel doesn't have 450 00:22:31,369 --> 00:22:35,550 Speaker 1: an embassy or representation in every ASEAN country. For example. 451 00:22:35,619 --> 00:22:40,040 Speaker 1: Also it is a very popular tourist destinations for Israelis themselves, 452 00:22:40,050 --> 00:22:43,109 Speaker 1: young Israelis when they're done with the military service, one 453 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:45,479 Speaker 1: of the first destinations to hit up is always Thailand, 454 00:22:45,500 --> 00:22:47,520 Speaker 1: especially Khaosan road. But then 455 00:22:47,609 --> 00:22:50,310 Speaker 1: also one other question that is on my mind as 456 00:22:50,319 --> 00:22:53,150 Speaker 1: well is the Thai public's reaction to that? Yes, of course, 457 00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:55,479 Speaker 1: we're getting a lot of Thai media coverage about that. 458 00:22:55,680 --> 00:22:58,420 Speaker 1: And I said earlier that it's probably the first time 459 00:22:58,430 --> 00:23:01,349 Speaker 1: that many Thais actually know we have. So many compatriots 460 00:23:01,359 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 1: over there. But I was asked by a Western diplomat, 461 00:23:04,770 --> 00:23:09,339 Speaker 1: why there's no bigger outrage about this by th that 462 00:23:09,349 --> 00:23:12,750 Speaker 1: the fact that so many Thais have fallen victim over there. 463 00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:13,550 Speaker 1: And I think that 464 00:23:14,010 --> 00:23:17,329 Speaker 1: one answer to this is that I said before is 465 00:23:17,339 --> 00:23:19,640 Speaker 1: because they're coming from a different part of the country 466 00:23:19,699 --> 00:23:22,119 Speaker 1: that the people in the capital might not be interested in. 467 00:23:22,270 --> 00:23:25,380 Speaker 1: But another one is also that because we have heard 468 00:23:25,390 --> 00:23:30,660 Speaker 1: from families in from the northeast of people that are 469 00:23:30,670 --> 00:23:33,449 Speaker 1: affected by that, they have said that they are kind 470 00:23:33,459 --> 00:23:35,900 Speaker 1: of stricken with grief in some way. We have heard 471 00:23:35,910 --> 00:23:38,349 Speaker 1: from one father who has lost his two sons in Israel. 472 00:23:38,569 --> 00:23:39,459 Speaker 1: He 473 00:23:39,900 --> 00:23:42,989 Speaker 1: is not angry at anybody. The question is who is 474 00:23:43,000 --> 00:23:46,040 Speaker 1: he supposed to be angry at? He's more angry at 475 00:23:46,050 --> 00:23:49,530 Speaker 1: himself that he couldn't provide them a living to keep 476 00:23:49,540 --> 00:23:51,879 Speaker 1: the sons over here that they have to go halfway 477 00:23:51,890 --> 00:23:54,910 Speaker 1: across the world and to earn a living to get 478 00:23:54,920 --> 00:23:56,760 Speaker 1: a lot more money, they would be back at home 479 00:23:56,829 --> 00:24:00,069 Speaker 1: but also pay the ultimate price. So, you know, the 480 00:24:00,079 --> 00:24:02,839 Speaker 1: question of the Western diplomat might be a little bit misplaced. 481 00:24:02,849 --> 00:24:05,219 Speaker 1: The question is simply who are they supposed to be 482 00:24:05,229 --> 00:24:07,839 Speaker 1: angry at? It's incredibly profound. 483 00:24:08,150 --> 00:24:11,849 Speaker 1: Uh Sao it really does point to a difficult picture 484 00:24:11,859 --> 00:24:14,599 Speaker 1: for those caught up in the conflict, not just the 485 00:24:14,609 --> 00:24:16,419 Speaker 1: fact that they're caught up in the conflict, but the 486 00:24:16,430 --> 00:24:20,239 Speaker 1: circumstances which led them to be in Israel in the 487 00:24:20,250 --> 00:24:23,188 Speaker 1: first place. Saxy. I want to wrap up our conversation 488 00:24:23,199 --> 00:24:23,968 Speaker 1: by asking 489 00:24:24,349 --> 00:24:27,589 Speaker 1: what's your big takeaway from covering this story? What have 490 00:24:27,599 --> 00:24:32,300 Speaker 1: you realized about Thailand, about Thai nationals? About the fact 491 00:24:32,310 --> 00:24:34,800 Speaker 1: that so much is out of their control. They're just 492 00:24:34,810 --> 00:24:38,020 Speaker 1: looking to make a better life and where it's led 493 00:24:38,030 --> 00:24:41,270 Speaker 1: them has led them to somewhere that itself has put 494 00:24:41,280 --> 00:24:42,189 Speaker 1: their lives in danger. 495 00:24:42,709 --> 00:24:45,229 Speaker 1: I think one thing that I definitely take away from 496 00:24:45,239 --> 00:24:48,540 Speaker 1: this is that as I said earlier, Thai stories do 497 00:24:48,550 --> 00:24:50,609 Speaker 1: not have to all take place in Thailand. They can 498 00:24:50,619 --> 00:24:53,359 Speaker 1: take place outside of Thailand as well. We have a 499 00:24:53,369 --> 00:24:56,260 Speaker 1: big diaspora out there in the world, not only in Israel, 500 00:24:56,270 --> 00:24:58,449 Speaker 1: not only in Europe, not only in the States but 501 00:24:58,459 --> 00:25:00,729 Speaker 1: everywhere in the world. And I think that's something that 502 00:25:01,250 --> 00:25:04,949 Speaker 1: every other nation can connect to as well. Every nation 503 00:25:05,020 --> 00:25:08,859 Speaker 1: has its own diaspora that are outside of their home country, 504 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:11,938 Speaker 1: outside of their father or mother land trying to seek 505 00:25:11,949 --> 00:25:14,530 Speaker 1: a better life. I'm a immigrant kid as well. I 506 00:25:14,540 --> 00:25:17,709 Speaker 1: was born and raised in Germany. My parents left their 507 00:25:17,719 --> 00:25:21,300 Speaker 1: home to seek a better life in another country and 508 00:25:21,310 --> 00:25:23,810 Speaker 1: I had the privilege to be born in that other country. 509 00:25:23,819 --> 00:25:25,719 Speaker 1: I just happened to make the decision to come back 510 00:25:25,729 --> 00:25:28,790 Speaker 1: here to Thailand, but it just definitely goes to show 511 00:25:28,800 --> 00:25:29,149 Speaker 1: that 512 00:25:29,550 --> 00:25:32,550 Speaker 1: there are people that are seeking a better life out 513 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:34,530 Speaker 1: of the country and that they are willing to take 514 00:25:34,540 --> 00:25:37,800 Speaker 1: the risks to earn that living. And I think a 515 00:25:37,810 --> 00:25:40,300 Speaker 1: lot of thais realize that not for the first time, 516 00:25:40,310 --> 00:25:42,689 Speaker 1: I might add that it's a big world out there 517 00:25:42,709 --> 00:25:44,339 Speaker 1: and it's a big world that with a lot of 518 00:25:44,349 --> 00:25:47,229 Speaker 1: things happening there. Many of them not good, some of 519 00:25:47,239 --> 00:25:51,010 Speaker 1: them good, but it also hits home. It literally hits 520 00:25:51,020 --> 00:25:55,010 Speaker 1: home because even though this conflict is so far away, 521 00:25:55,180 --> 00:25:55,650 Speaker 1: but 522 00:25:55,939 --> 00:25:59,199 Speaker 1: it is hitting home and some unfortunately are paying the 523 00:25:59,209 --> 00:25:59,920 Speaker 1: ultimate price 524 00:26:03,930 --> 00:26:06,189 Speaker 1: and just quickly, what will you be working on in 525 00:26:06,199 --> 00:26:08,760 Speaker 1: the weeks ahead? Obviously, we will be keeping an eye 526 00:26:08,770 --> 00:26:11,310 Speaker 1: on the situation. Obviously, we will be keeping an eye 527 00:26:11,380 --> 00:26:15,949 Speaker 1: on the hostage situation whether or not they get out soon. 528 00:26:15,959 --> 00:26:18,569 Speaker 1: And one can of course only hope that they are 529 00:26:18,579 --> 00:26:21,198 Speaker 1: getting out soon and we will be keeping an eye 530 00:26:21,209 --> 00:26:24,280 Speaker 1: on those that have returned how they are faring and 531 00:26:24,290 --> 00:26:26,438 Speaker 1: we will also be keeping an eye without saying too 532 00:26:26,449 --> 00:26:28,760 Speaker 1: much yet on those that may or may not want 533 00:26:28,770 --> 00:26:30,530 Speaker 1: to return. So, what's the space? 534 00:26:31,300 --> 00:26:33,909 Speaker 1: Alright, Sakhi, thank you very much for your time today. 535 00:26:33,939 --> 00:26:36,709 Speaker 1: Thank you. Thanks for having me listening to Sakhi. It's 536 00:26:36,719 --> 00:26:39,889 Speaker 1: clear that Thai authorities are in uncharted territory and the 537 00:26:39,900 --> 00:26:44,129 Speaker 1: challenges they face are incredibly complex how events unfold in 538 00:26:44,140 --> 00:26:46,619 Speaker 1: a war zone is anything but certain. But what is 539 00:26:46,630 --> 00:26:49,489 Speaker 1: certain is that the duty of all those that govern 540 00:26:49,500 --> 00:26:52,410 Speaker 1: is to ensure the safety and security of their citizens, 541 00:26:52,420 --> 00:26:54,219 Speaker 1: wherever in the world they are 542 00:26:54,680 --> 00:26:57,260 Speaker 1: the TV version CN A correspondent airs on CN A 543 00:26:57,270 --> 00:27:00,219 Speaker 1: every Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. You can also catch up 544 00:27:00,229 --> 00:27:02,219 Speaker 1: with it whenever and wherever you like on CN A 545 00:27:02,229 --> 00:27:05,409 Speaker 1: dot Asia do like and subscribe to this podcast version 546 00:27:05,420 --> 00:27:08,040 Speaker 1: that takes you behind the scenes with our correspondence is 547 00:27:08,050 --> 00:27:10,589 Speaker 1: available on our website and mobile app as well as 548 00:27:10,599 --> 00:27:14,060 Speaker 1: on Spotify, Apple and Google podcasts. Thank you for listening. 549 00:27:14,349 --> 00:27:16,760 Speaker 1: Our podcast team is made up of Sy Wind Kristina 550 00:27:16,770 --> 00:27:18,959 Speaker 1: Robert Clara Ong and me, Steve La.