Willie Walsh, director general of the International Air Transport Association, told reporters in Singapore that while crude prices had fallen below $100 per barrel following a U.S.-Iran ceasefire announcement, jet fuel costs were likely to remain elevated due to constraints on refining output.

“If it were to reopen and remain open, I think it will still take a period of months to get back to where supply needs to be given the disruption to the refining capacity in the Middle East,” Walsh said, adding that the region is critical to global supply of refined products beyond aviation fuel.

The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil trade, has been heavily disrupted during the recent conflict, squeezing fuel availability and driving up costs across the aviation sector.

Airlines in Asia have responded by cutting flights, carrying additional fuel from origin airports and adding refueling stops, measures that have increased operational costs for carriers already dealing with a sharp rise in jet fuel prices.

The impact has been most acute in import-dependent markets such as Vietnam, Myanmar and Pakistan, where supply constraints have tightened further after China and Thailand halted jet fuel exports and South Korea capped shipments at previous levels.

Walsh said a resumption of crude flows could encourage exporters such as China and South Korea to restart shipments of refined products, easing pressure on the market over time.

However, he noted that higher refinery margins, known as crack spreads, would be needed to incentivize increased jet fuel production.

“There is capacity available once we get the crude oil flowing, but it’ll take a little bit of time,” Walsh said.

Surging global fuel prices are placing mounting pressure on households and small businesses across continents, with workers and entrepreneurs reporting rising costs, shrinking incomes and difficult trade-offs in daily life.

On a small dairy farm north of Auckland in New Zealand, a farmer managing 200 cows said higher diesel and petrol costs are eroding already tight margins. The farm consumes around 900 litres of diesel and up to 300 litres of petrol each month to operate tractors, machinery and quad bikes. Recent price increases have added more than NZ$1,200 to monthly expenses, translating to over NZ$15,000 annually.

The farmer said the burden extends beyond direct fuel use. Contractors charge more for their services and fertiliser prices have risen by about 40%, compounding operational costs. With commodity prices largely dictated by markets, the farmer said there is little scope to pass on higher costs, forcing decisions to delay maintenance and investment.

In Port Vila, bus driver Daniel Thomas described similar pressures in the transport sector. Driving from early morning until late evening, he earns about A$120 a day but expects that rising fuel prices could reduce his take-home income significantly. With vehicles requiring frequent refuelling and air-conditioning essential in tropical temperatures, Thomas said higher costs may force drivers to raise fares despite concerns about passenger affordability.

Across Vanuatu, many drivers are servicing loans on their vehicles, increasing financial vulnerability. Thomas said without fare increases, drivers may struggle to meet repayments, highlighting the limited options available to absorb cost shocks.In South Korea, the response has included policy measures to reduce fuel consumption.

Kim Hooin, a public sector worker commuting from Cheongju to Sejong, said mandatory vehicle restrictions introduced in late March have altered daily routines. Under the system, government employees are prohibited from driving one day a week based on licence plate numbers, encouraging greater use of public transport.

Kim said he now takes the bus daily, extending his commute time but reducing fuel expenses. At work, he manages government vehicles and said usage is being tightly controlled, with electric vehicles prioritised where possible. The government has also promoted broader energy-saving measures, including reduced water and electricity use, framing the campaign as a collective response to economic pressures.

In rural Surin Province, small-scale trader Teerayut Ruenrerng said fuel shortages and price increases have disrupted both supply chains and daily operations. Running a mobile grocery business, he often visits multiple fuel stations to secure limited quantities of diesel. Inconsistent access has made it difficult to plan routes and maintain regular sales.

Ruenrerng said rising input costs, including higher prices for meat, produce and packaging, have reduced profits by up to 20%. Supply disruptions mean that orders are frequently only partially fulfilled, forcing adjustments to inventory and pricing. He has increased some retail prices but said doing so risks losing customers in already constrained markets.

In Tokyo, Koichi Matsumoto, who operates a traditional bathhouse established by his family in the 1930s, said energy costs are a growing concern. Although the business switched from oil to gas five years ago, heating expenses remain high and are expected to increase further if global energy markets tighten.

Bathhouse operators face additional constraints, including regulated pricing set by local authorities. Matsumoto said admission fees cannot be raised freely, limiting the ability to offset rising costs. With declining customer numbers and ageing infrastructure, he said many similar establishments are weighing whether to continue operating.

In Sydney, interior designer Belinda Morgan said uncertainty linked to global energy markets is affecting demand in the construction sector. She said projects have slowed as clients delay spending decisions, prompting her to seek additional work and cut household expenses.

The family is reassessing routine activities, including discretionary travel, to conserve fuel and money.In Delhi, warehouse worker Rajesh Singh described a more acute impact, with rising cooking gas prices and food inflation forcing him to reduce meals. Earning about 12,000 rupees per month, he said essential expenses including rent and food have surged, leaving little room for savings. He reported eating once a day in recent weeks and borrowing money to manage basic needs.

Singh said several colleagues have already left the city due to rising costs, and he is considering returning to his home village if conditions do not improve. The situation reflects broader pressures on low-income urban workers facing simultaneous increases in energy, housing and food prices.

In Beijing, taxi driver Cui Xinming said fuel price increases have added to the strain of long working hours. Driving up to 12 hours a day, he said rising costs are a concern but expressed confidence in government measures to stabilise prices. He noted that China’s investment in alternative energy and electric vehicles could reduce reliance on oil over time.

Cui said he is considering leaving the profession due to fatigue and changing economic conditions, highlighting how cost pressures are influencing career decisions in addition to daily finances.

Across regions, the accounts point to a common pattern: rising fuel costs are feeding through supply chains, increasing the price of goods and services while compressing incomes. For many, the adjustments involve reducing consumption, raising prices where possible, or reconsidering long-term plans in an increasingly uncertain economic environment.

Air quality monitors recorded PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 900 micrograms per cubic meter in parts of Pai, roughly 60 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended 24-hour exposure limit, according to monitoring data cited this week. Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city, consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted major cities during the period.

Residents reported acute health effects linked to prolonged exposure. Pon Doikam, a 36-year-old vendor working outdoors in Chiang Mai, said she experienced nasal bleeding and persistent respiratory irritation after spending hours in polluted conditions. “It feels like you’re trapped in the smoke constantly,” she said.

The pollution surge is part of an annual haze season affecting much of Southeast Asia, driven by crop burning and forest fires. However, locals described current conditions as unusually severe. Geographic factors have compounded the situation, with mountainous terrain trapping smoke and hindering firefighting access to remote forest areas.

Field observations confirmed multiple active fires along routes between Chiang Mai and Pai. Volunteer firefighter Maitree Nuanja said local response capacity remains limited, relying heavily on donated supplies. He noted that teams are operating with constrained fuel and equipment support while facing prolonged exposure to hazardous air.

Authorities confirmed the death of a volunteer firefighter earlier this week, citing suspected exhaustion combined with heat exposure and pre-existing health conditions.Public health risks are particularly acute for vulnerable groups. In Chiang Mai, authorities have set up “dust-free rooms” equipped with air filtration systems to protect residents, including elderly populations.

Watwilai Chaiwan, an 82-year-old resident of a care facility, said the pollution has worsened symptoms such as dizziness and migraines and discouraged outdoor activity.Medical professionals warned of broader health implications.

Thanakrit Im-iam, a doctor in Chiang Mai, said fine particulate matter can penetrate deep into the body, carrying toxins and heavy metals. He reported common symptoms including eye irritation, respiratory inflammation and mucus buildup, adding that long-term exposure could have severe consequences.

The haze has also weighed on tourism, a key economic driver in northern Thailand. Local transport operator Chakkrawat Wichitchaisilp reported a noticeable decline in visitors during what is typically a peak travel season. Visibility across Chiang Mai has been significantly reduced, with skyline views obscured by dense smog.

Government officials held discussions this week to address the crisis, while some districts in Chiang Mai declared disaster zones to expedite financial assistance. However, environmental groups said policy responses remain insufficient.

Kanongnij Sribuaiam of the Thailand Clean Air Network urged faster progress on stalled clean air legislation, warning that delays could force the process to restart if deadlines are missed.

The recurring haze crisis underscores ongoing challenges in managing cross-border pollution, agricultural practices and forest fire control across the region.

Despite ongoing exchanges between the two militaries in disputed areas, Thai officials underscored that diplomatic channels remain open and active, with Prime Minister Anutin set to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump to provide a direct update on the situation and explore avenues for de-escalation.

The call is expected to center on reaffirming Thailand’s commitment to dialogue while ensuring the safety and sovereignty of its territory. The Thai leadership has stressed that the priority remains to end hostilities and create space for peaceful negotiation, supported by regional allies and long-standing international relationships.

Cambodia has likewise expressed readiness for communication, with officials stating that they remain open to discussions at any time. The growing international attention has encouraged both sides to consider less confrontational approaches, despite tensions and accusations exchanged over the past week.

The United States has conveyed strong interest in helping restore stability, noting the importance of safeguarding Southeast Asia’s long-term peace and economic resilience. Trump has expressed confidence that diplomatic outreach can guide both countries back toward a cessation of hostilities and renewed cooperation.

Thai officials highlighted the importance of conveying accurate information to global partners, reassuring allies that Thailand remains committed to maintaining order while seeking solutions that prevent further humanitarian impact. This engagement is seen as essential for protecting regional development and trade routes shared by both nations.

Despite military activity in several areas, senior Thai leaders reiterated that any strategic action taken has been grounded in the responsibility to safeguard lives and maintain national security. At the same time, they emphasized their openness to efforts that reduce confrontation and encourage dialogue.

Thai diplomats have been actively speaking with international counterparts, reinforcing that Thailand supports peaceful conflict resolution grounded in sincerity, accountability, and respect for borders. These diplomatic exchanges have helped spotlight the shared regional interest in minimizing disruptions that could affect economic recovery and cross-border cooperation.

In Cambodia, government representatives noted that their leadership remains receptive to communication, with officials reaffirming willingness to participate in discussions that lower tensions and protect civilians on both sides. Their statements have added to optimism that renewed dialogue is possible with sufficient international support.

The situation has displaced thousands of families, but relief teams in border provinces are working to ensure access to food, shelter, and medical care. Local communities expressed hope that the increasing diplomatic momentum will soon bring stability and enable them to return home safely.

Thailand’s political landscape has also shifted, with the prime minister dissolving parliament ahead of an upcoming election. Though this adds uncertainty, analysts believe democratic processes can strengthen national unity during a difficult moment and reinforce public confidence in peaceful governance.

As both nations face the challenges of conflict, economic pressure, and shifting political dynamics, officials from Thailand, Cambodia, and the United States continue to highlight the importance of restraint, communication, and constructive partnership. With active diplomacy underway, there is cautious optimism that tensions can ease and that both countries will return to cooperation and shared prosperity.

Despite recent clashes, both nations are emphasizing dialogue, coordination, and respect for regional mechanisms to prevent further escalation.

Officials in Bangkok remain focused on ensuring that trade relations and political negotiations stay on a steady track.

The government stresses that economic tools should not overshadow diplomatic channels, especially when addressing deep-rooted historical disputes.

This positive positioning has created space for new conversations that prioritize regional peace.

Leaders from both countries recognize that cooperation, rather than confrontation, can help safeguard border communities and protect shared economic interests.

The renewed attention from the international community has also encouraged a more balanced diplomatic environment.

Policymakers in Southeast Asia view the situation as a chance to reinforce frameworks that support conflict prevention and sustainable cross-border development.

Bangkok’s response highlights its commitment to maintaining stability despite political pressures at home.

With snap elections approaching, the Thai administration aims to demonstrate leadership that favors peace, measured diplomacy, and responsible governance.

Thailand’s foreign ministry continues to underline that border negotiations must proceed independently from trade discussions.

This approach promotes clarity and avoids mixing security issues with broader economic dialogues.

Both countries share more than a century of historical ties, and officials acknowledge that dialogue remains the most reliable path forward.

Efforts to revisit existing frameworks, strengthen communication between military units, and encourage joint monitoring have gained momentum.

The recent developments have opened opportunities for humanitarian coordination as well.

Communities near the border, including those temporarily displaced, stand to benefit from enhanced cooperation and faster emergency response mechanisms.

Regional analysts note that Thailand’s insistence on diplomatic resolution sets a constructive example in Southeast Asia.

It reinforces the idea that even in tense moments, negotiation and regional collaboration can pave the way toward sustainable peace.

Meanwhile, Cambodia has signaled openness to renewed discussions, further softening the tone of earlier exchanges.

This environment of cautious optimism offers a foundation for confidence-building measures and technical talks on boundary demarcation.

Economic observers point out that stable relations between Thailand and Cambodia will support trade flows and investment during a challenging global economic climate.

Both governments understand that investors value peace, predictability, and respect for diplomatic processes.

Political leaders in Thailand are also using this moment to emphasize national unity.

By promoting a message centered on peace, resilience, and regional cooperation, they aim to reassure citizens ahead of upcoming political transitions.

International stakeholders continue to encourage peaceful engagement, highlighting the importance of diplomatic tools over economic pressure.

This broader support has strengthened Bangkok’s position and helped maintain constructive communication channels.

As discussions move forward, both nations are expected to explore updated mechanisms for monitoring the border.

Strengthening these systems could reduce misunderstandings and provide early warning signals during periods of tension.

The current situation, while challenging, reflects a renewed momentum toward peaceful resolution rather than prolonged conflict.

Thailand and Cambodia’s willingness to keep diplomatic doors open marks a significant step toward stability in mainland Southeast Asia.

With continued dialogue and regional cooperation, the two neighbors have an opportunity to turn a moment of tension into a foundation for long-term peace.

The focus on diplomacy, humanitarian needs, and economic stability suggests a future built on partnership rather than rivalry.

Instead, Anucha and his five Thai colleagues were accosted by 10 armed militants, whom he identified as Hamas by the Palestine flags on their sleeves.

“We shouted ‘Thailand, Thailand’,” said Anucha, a soft-spoken 28-year-old with a wispy goatee. “But they didn’t care.”

Two of the six Thais were killed soon after, including a friend who Anucha said was shot dead in front of him in a random act of violence. The rest were forced on to a truck for a roughly 30 minute ride into Gaza.

Anucha’s first person account offers a glimpse into what many hostages endured – and some continue to endure. He described sleeping on a sandy floor and beatings by Hamas captors, who he said singled out Israelis for especially brutal treatment.

To keep their hopes up, the four Thai men relied on chess games on a makeshift board, memories of family and craving for Thai food.

Few of the freed hostages have spoken at length about their ordeal, though others who have since been released also described beatings and death threats.

Hamas officials did not immediately respond to a written request for comment on Anucha’s account.

“I thought I would die,” he said on Wednesday, at his family home in rural northeastern Thailand, where he returned this month after 50 days in captivity.

Almost all that time was spent inside two small underground rooms, secured by armed guards and accessed by dark narrow tunnels.

At least 240 people – Israelis and foreign nationals – were abducted to Gaza on Oct 7. by Hamas militants who burst through the border and killed some 1,200 people.

More than 100 hostages – largely women, children and non-Israelis – have been released.

In retaliation for the Oct. 7 attack, Israel mounted a devastating bombing campaign and ground offensive that has killed more than 15,000 people, according to figures from Palestinian health officials deemed reliable by the United Nations.

Some 130 people, including eight Thais, remain captive.

Before the war, around 30,000 Thai labourers worked in the agriculture sector, making them one of Israel’s largest migrant worker groups. Israel offers the farmhands higher wages.

Thailand, which has friendly ties with Israel, recognised Palestine as a sovereign state in 2012.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry has compared the dead Thai hostages to “heroes” and said the released captives would receive the same benefits as their Israeli counterparts.

Two Meals, Two Bottles Of Water

Once in Gaza, the uniformed militants handed the Thais to a small group of men who took them to an abandoned house and tied their hands behind their backs.

The Thais were joined by a terrified 18-year-old Israeli, a man Anucha said he knew from Kibbutz Re’im, where he worked on an avocado farm.

Beatings began shortly after, as their captors punched and kicked them. “We shouted ‘Thailand, Thailand’,” he said, which eased the intensity of the blows. The young Israeli wasn’t spared.

An hour later, all five were put into another truck that drove for about 30 minutes to a small building that led into a tunnel.

Near the mouth of the tunnel, they were beaten again and photographed, Anucha said, before walking through a dark, roughly meter-wide passage to a small room.

In this windowless space, which measured around 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters and was lit by a bulb, the five were joined by another Israeli man.

The militants continued kicking and punching the captives for two days, Anucha said. After that, they persisted with another two days of beatings for the Israelis, who were whipped using electrical wires.

Anucha was not seriously injured but weeks after his release from captivity, his wrist still bore marks from the restraints.

The captives slept on the bare sandy floor. The six men were served flat bread twice a day and shared two bottles of water between them that was replenished daily.

Their toilet was a hole in the ground near the room, where they were taken by one of eight guards armed with assault weapons that resembled AK-47s. Guards told them not to talk among themselves.

“I felt hopeless,” Anucha said.

Anucha initially counted down the days by the number of meals. After four days, the six were marched to another room.

During the walk, Anucha said the tunnel, which was lit by flash lights carried by their captors, was lined with metal doors.

‘Thailand, Go Home’

Their new room was more spacious. They had plastic sheets to sleep on. Three bulbs lit the space. An alcove served as their toilet.

The beatings stopped. The food improved to include nuts, butter and, later, rice.

Still using meals to measure time, Anucha left scratches on the floor to mark the number of days in captivity.

That changed when a guard brought in some papers for them to sign. He, like the other guards, only spoke Arabic. The Israelis interpreted for Anucha, who said he speaks rudimentary Hebrew.

But the guard left behind a white ballpoint pen. They used it to mark time, draw tattoos and sketch a chessboard on the plastic sheet. Chess pieces were crafted out of a pink-and-green toothpaste box.

Another distraction was talk of food. Anucha craved soi ju, a Thai delicacy of pieces of raw beef dipped in spicy sauce, that he dreamt and spoke of.

“Food was a source of hope,” he said, smiling.

Weeks passed. Anucha had no inkling of the Israeli raids and bombings aboveground. He often thought of home, his father, his seven year old daughter and his partner of 14 years.

On Day 35, a man dressed in black arrived for a brief inspection. From his demeanour and the respectful behaviour of the guards, the captives surmised he was a senior Hamas leader.

Their routine resumed, until one day, a guard arrived following their first meal and announced: “Thailand, go home.”

The four Thais were led through tunnels for roughly two hours and arrived overground to a Hamas facility, where a handful of female Israeli hostages were also waiting.

Some 11 hours later, they were handed over to the Red Cross, which drove them out of Gaza on Nov. 25.

“I didn’t think I would get released,” he said, “It was like I was reborn.”

But the hardest part was still what he saw on Oct. 7, Anucha said. “I lost my friend in front of my eyes.”

“Thank you to everyone for worrying about us … We’re safe now and we’re really thankful,” Natthawaree said late on Thursday, with tears still in her eyes and her hands clasped together in a traditional Thai ‘wai’ greeting.

“I’m happy. Let’s go back home,” she told her mother at an airport in Khon Kaen province in northeastern Thailand.

A relative tied holy threads on Natthawaree’s wrist and on the wrist of her partner Boonthoom Phankhongwas in a Thai homecoming ritual.

The two were among the first 10 Thai hostages freed by Hamas during the first truce of the war in Gaza.

A total of 23 Thai hostages have been released with nine still in captivity.

Before the war, around 30,000 Thai labourers, mostly from the country’s rural northeast, worked in Israel’s agriculture sector, making them one of the largest migrant worker groups in the country.

So far, 9,000 Thais have been repatriated.

Natthawaree, 35 and a mother of two, was seen hugging her daughter before the family got into a van to go home.

Three Thai hostages held by Hamas militants were released from Gaza on Sunday, taking the number of Thai nationals freed since the four-day truce began on Friday to 17.

“We were the sole party that spoke to Hamas since the beginning of the war to ask for the release of Thais,” Thai-Iran Alumni Association President, Lerpong Syed told Reuters on Monday.

Lerpong is part of a group of Thai Muslims convened by the country’s parliamentary speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, which travelled to Tehran in October and spoke with Hamas representatives.

“If Thailand only relied on the foreign ministry or asked other countries for help – the chances of getting released with the first group would be very low,” he said, adding that other countries with hostages such as the United States, Germany and France have more influence.

The group conveyed to Hamas during a three-hour meeting that Thais were not party to the conflict and should be freed, he said, after which the Palestinian militant group gave their assurances that Thais would be released first and unconditionally once there was a ceasefire.

The temporary truce is first halt in fighting in the seven weeks since Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back into Gaza.

Before the war, around 30,000 Thai labourers worked in Israel’s agriculture sector, making up one of the largest migrant worker groups in the country.

“Our team hit the right spot from the beginning by going to Iran and talking directly to Hamas,” said another member of the Thai group, veteran politician Areepen Uttarasin.

However, a source briefed on the talks said the hostage agreement was mediated by Qatar and Egypt in a negotiation track that was opened when Thailand’s foreign minister visited Qatar on Oct. 31.

Iran has also said it facilitated the release, while Hamas has said the release was due to the efforts of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

“For the remaining 15 Thai hostages, the Royal Thai Government continues to exert all efforts towards their safe release at the earliest opportunity,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Monday.

When asked about parallel efforts, Lerpong said: “My responsibility is to bring Thais home and if (other governments) want to have a say, that’s fine. I consider I accomplished my mission.”

Thailand’s population of 70 million are predominantly Buddhist and have largely co-existed peacefully with its Muslim minority.

“This request was accepted by Hamas and 10 Thai hostages were released after the ceasefire,” it said.

A Thai foreign ministry spokesperson told Reuters that: “we have provided lists since the beginning to everyone,” including Qatar, Egypt, Israel and Iran.

“Different actors would have different influence on Hamas,” the spokesperson added.

A group of Thai Muslim politicians had travelled to Tehran and met senior Hamas officials in October.

Thailand’s Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-nukara also held talks with senior officials in Cairo and Doha over the release of Thai hostages.

Thailand’s government says that 20 of its nationals are still being held by Hamas.

About 30,000 Thai nationals work in Israel, forming one of its largest groups of migrant workers, many in agriculture.

“He told me not to cry, to tell mother I’m coming back,” Vetoon’s sister, Roongarun Wichagern, told Reuters after an emotional reunion with him via video call.

Vetoon, 33, who has been living in Israel for five years, was one of 10 Thai hostages freed by Hamas during the first truce of a seven-week-old war that started with the Palestinian militant group’s Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel.

“He said, ‘I’m not dead, I’m not dead’,” Roongarun said, calling his survival a “miracle”.

The 10 Thais were among 24 hostages freed on Friday in a deal negotiated in parallel with the truce and an exchange of 39 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Thailand’s government said 20 of its nationals are still captive.

Thailand’s foreign minister and army chief will travel to Israel to bring the freed hostages back, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin told reporters, adding that his government was still trying to secure the release of the remaining captives.

“We will not stop. We will bring them back,” he said.

Iran’s Embassy in Bangkok said on social media that Tehran had facilitated the release by providing a list of names to Hamas following a request from Thailand’s Foreign Ministry and a parliamentary speaker.

A Thai foreign ministry spokesperson said Thailand had “provided lists since the beginning to everyone,” including Qatar, Egypt, Israel and Iran.

“Different actors would have different influence on Hamas,” the spokesperson said.

Migrant Workers

About 30,000 Thai nationals work in Israel, forming one of its largest groups of migrant workers, many in agriculture.

Vetoon told family members he had shouted “Thailand, Thailand!” when the militants approached, before capturing him and holding him in tunnels, Roongarun said.

He was not wounded or tortured, was given food and water and did not appear to have lost weight, Roongarun added.

His friends believed he had died, but the family followed the news “without sleeping”, hoping he had been taken hostage, she said.

“I saw the news hostages would be released, and then someone sent a photo,” Roongarun said. “It was clearly my little brother.”

The released captives also included the only Thai woman known to be held by Hamas, a factory worker and mother from a poor rural area where many people leave to seek job opportunities abroad.

Photographs from the Thai Foreign Ministry showed them meeting doctors at a medical centre in Israel. They will return home after 48 hours in hospital, the ministry said, thanking Egypt, Iran, Israel, Malaysia, Qatar and the International Committee of the Red Cross for “immense efforts” on the deal to free them.

A source briefed on the negotiations said the release was unrelated to the truce deal with Israel and followed a separate track of talks with Hamas mediated by Egypt and Qatar.

A group of Thai Muslim politicians had travelled to Tehran and met senior Hamas officials in October.

Thongkoon Onkaew told Reuters authorities had said her son, Natthaporn Onkaew, a 26-year-old farm worker, was not among the first group released, but she added that she was “waiting for good news.”