Sudthisak Rinthalak

A farewell ceremony for Sudthisak Rinthalak, of blessed memory, was held this morning, at Ben-Gurion International Airport.

The ceremony was attended by coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, the Thai Ambassador Israel, the Israeli Ambassador to Thailand, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Directorate for Hostages and the Missing, representatives of the Eshkol Regional Council, and those who honored the memory of Sudthisak.

During the ceremony, the Coordinator for the Return of the Hostages and the Missing expressed his condolences to the Rinthalak family and the Thai people on behalf of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Government of israel and the people of Israel.

In his remarks at the ceremony, the Coordinator described the supreme efforts made by the State of Israel to secure the release of all hostages, including all Thai hostages, and stated that the State of Israel has supported the Rinthalak family since the outbreak of the war and will continue to do so.

Coordinator Hirsch expressed his full commitment to the return of Master-Sgt. Ran Gvili, of blessed memory, the last fallen hostage remaining in the hands of the enemy in Gaza.

(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)

President Isaac Herzog today (Thursday, 4 December 2025) issued the following statement regarding the return of the body of murdered hostage sudthisak Rinthalak:

“Sudthisak Rinthalak was an agricultural worker who came from Thailand to Israel to support his family.

On October 7th, 2023, Sudthisak was brutally murdered and abducted by terrorists into Gaza. A total of 39 Thai nationals were murdered and 31 Thai nationals were taken captive on that horrific day.

For 789 painful days, Sudthisak was held hostage in Gaza. His family back in Thailand have waited in agony for his return. Now, Sudthisak can finally be laid to rest with dignity.

On behalf of the people of Israel, I send my deepest condolences to King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand, sudthisak rinthalak’s family, and the entire Thai people.

I also express my appreciation for the Thai community in Israel, who continue to contribute so much to our country.

Hamas’s cruelty continues. Ran Gvili, a police officer who fought and fell heroically on October 7th, is still being held hostage in Gaza.

When we say we won’t stop until every last hostage is home, we mean it.”

The Prime Minister’s Office, this morning (Thursday, 4 december 2025) [translated from Hebrew]:

Following the completion of the identification process by the National Center of Forensic Medicine, in cooperation with the Israel Police and the IDF Rabbinate, the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing, and IDF and Ministry of Foreign Affairs representatives informed the family of fallen hostage Sudthisak Rinthalak, of blessed memory, that their loved one has been returned to Israel and that his identification has been completed.

Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch informed the Rinthalak family that the procedures for returning him for burial in his country will be carried out in coordination with the Thai Embassy in Israel and that the Government of Israel shares in the deep sorrow of the Rinthalak family, the Thai people and all of fallen hostages‘ families.

The Rinthalak family and Thai Ambassador to Israel Boonyarit Vichienpuntu asked to convey their deep gratitude and appreciation to the State of Israel for the efforts to return Sudthisak and for the continuous support provided to the family since the outbreak of the war.

The Government and the entire Directorate for the Hostages and the Missing of the State of Israel are determined, committed, and working tirelessly to return National Counter-Terrorism Unit fighter and hero Master Sgt. Ran Gvili for a proper Jewish burial.

The Hamas terrorist organization is required to uphold its commitments to the mediators and return the fallen hostages as part of the implementation of the agreement. We will not compromise on this and will spare no effort until we bring him back home to Israel.