A Thai worker from the northeastern province of Udon Thani, one of the survivors of the Israel-Hamas war, has complained to the media that his name was not listed among Thai workers due to receive financial aid from the Israeli authorities.
A source on Tuesday said Wittawas Kulwong, 35, was among many Thai workers caught up in the Hamas onslaught on southern Israel last year. He survived despite being severely injured and later returned home.
The man said a group Hamas militants stormed his workers' camp on the morning of Oct 7 specifically looking for Thai workers. He and his colleagues ran for their lives as bullets flew across the camp's office and chicken coops.
Mr Wittawas was caught hiding in a tunnel by the attackers and ordered to get down on the ground with his hands behind his neck.
He said he refused and fought back and was then stabbed in the head, from which he later passed out after losing a lot of blood. He said one militant then slashed his throat, to finish him off.
Several hours later, after regaining consciousness, Mr Wittawas crawled out of the camp to seek help. He was later rushed to a hospital.
"I never thought I would survive," said Mr Wittawas.
He said he was confirmed by Israeli authorities on Oct 19 as a survivor of the unprecedented incursion on Israeli soil, before he returned to Thailand, and told he would receive financial aid.
However, he found his name was not on a list of victims to be compensated by Israel.
The Udon Thani provincial labour office said local authorities are asking Israeli officials to look into the matter.
Meanwhile, five Thai workers were reportedly injured by anti-tank missiles fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah in the northern Israeli town of Margaliot on Monday.