How Thailand pulled off the impossible: Saving hostages without choosing sides

As Thailand’s ambassador to Israel talks to the Post, the country is doubling down on foreign workers in Israel, and fostering its long-standing, genuine diplomatic relationships in the Middle East

Very few people can say they’ve eaten pad Thai prepared by the personal chef of a Thai ambassador. Even fewer can claim they watched that ambassador himself guide the cooking demonstration, offering commentary with the confidence of someone who spent his junior diplomatic years perfecting the dish himself.

But that’s exactly what happened Thursday evening at the Thai Ambassador’s residence in Herzliya Pituach, where newly-appointed Ambassador Boonyarit Vichienpuntu welcomed diplomats and dignitaries to the “Festival of Light: Charms of Thai Heritage” reception – an event that skillfully wove cultural celebration with serious diplomatic messaging about peace, partnership, and perseverance.

“Today, as I said, I bring you to my home,” Ambassador Boonyarit Vichienpuntu told the gathered guests, who included Aviv Ezra, Deputy Director-General of Israel’s Asia-Pacific Department, along with ambassadors from various nations. “Actually, I’m eating Thai food every day. And also, since I was a junior diplomat up to now, I cook myself.”

The evening’s centerpiece was ostensibly the Loy Krathong celebration, complete with traditional dancers in intricate costumes, a cooking demonstration, and the floating of kratongs–decorative baskets–in the ambassador’s pool. But beneath the festive atmosphere lay a carefully calibrated diplomatic message about Thailand’s unique position in the Middle East and its unwavering commitment to its citizens working in Israel.

More than a culinary gimmick

For those who think they don’t like Thai food, they’ve simply never tasted authentic Thai cuisine. The Thai SELECT certification–prominently featured at the event is not just diplomatic soft power or a marketing gimmick. It is a rigorous program by Thailand’s Commerce Ministry requiring restaurants to serve at least 60% authentic Thai food using traditional cooking methods, with establishments needing to reapply every three years to maintain standards.

In Israel, several restaurants have earned this prestigious certification, including Nam, Soi, Tiger Lily, Thai at Har Sinai, and Thai House.

The papaya salad served at the reception was a revelation – perfectly balanced between sweet, sour, salty, and spicy. Other dishes had just enough heat to make you reach for what the bartender called “ancient tea,” a purple, slightly shimmering drink described as a traditional remedy. The mango sticky rice was creamy perfection, and colorful luk chup – traditional mung bean sweets shaped like miniature vegetables – offered a delicate, mochi-like sweetness. Traditional Thai massage was also demonstrated, showcasing another aspect of Thailand’s wellness culture.

This wasn’t fusion or adaptation; this was Thailand bringing its authenticity to Israeli shores, part of a broader cultural exchange that includes the 400,000 Israelis who visit Thailand annually – roughly 5% of Israel’s population.

Honoring the workers who bridge two nations

The evening’s most poignant moment came when Ambassador Vichienpuntu called Thai workers onto the stage–men who had trave led from their Israeli job sites to be honored by their embassy.

“They are construction workers and Thailand is very proud of them because they bring us [the] biggest revenue to our country when we are challenging, as any other countries, the problems of our economy,” the ambassador said, his voice carrying genuine emotion. “They’re helping us and they’re helping our family. And also, they brought us mutual respect from the Israeli government side to take care of them as well.”

This wasn’t mere ceremony. Since October 7, 2023, Thailand has demonstrated remarkable diplomatic resolve in protecting its citizens in Israel. Of the 39 Thai nationals killed in the Hamas attacks and 32 taken hostage, Thailand successfully negotiated the release of all living hostages–23 in November 2023 through separate negotiations with Hamas via Iranian and Qatari mediation, and five more in January 2025 after 481 days in captivity. The remains of two Thai workers – Sonthaya Oakkharasri and Sudthisak Rinthalak – are still being held in Gaza.

Today, approximately 40,000 Thai workers are in Israel, earning about $1,500 monthly–five times what they could make back home. They work in agriculture, construction, and services, forming the backbone of several Israeli industries. Thailand’s decision to maintain and even strengthen this presence, despite the security risks, represents a significant vote of confidence in the bilateral relationship.

The diplomatic tightrope

When asked about Thailand’s ability to maintain relationships with both Israel and other regional players–including conducting hostage negotiations through Iran, Ambassador Vichienpuntu offered a revealing response.

“We don’t need to maintain it. We always have the existing good relations with your people and other friends,” he said, suggesting Thailand’s relationships aren’t transactional but rather longstanding and genuine. “The thing is that we want to raise awareness [of is] that our people are innocent.”

This philosophy underpins Thailand’s entire approach to the region. “Our people are innocent,” he emphasized, referring to the Thai workers caught in the October 7 attacks. “The workers who suffer from the October 7 incident, they are not the stakeholders. And I don’t want them to be used or to be victimized by any side. As the government of Thailand, it’s our national duty to help them.”

Thailand’s approach of maintaining its 2012 recognition of Palestinian statehood while deepening ties with Israel exemplifies what the ambassador called listening to all sides. “You cannot only use force to force people to do anything,” he said. “People have to have mutual respect and mutual understanding. And that’s only through the diplomatic solution.”

The ambassador confirmed that Thailand supports a two-state solution, though he was careful not to oversimplify the complexities of achieving lasting peace in the region.

When asked whether there’s enough mutual understanding in the region, he was philosophical: “I’m very new to this region… but I think that it’s never been enough.” The ambassador emphasized the importance of diplomatic listening, suggesting that even when other parties’ messages don’t align with one’s expectations, “you have to be liberal enough to listen to them.”

Agricultural roots run deep

The relationship between Thailand and Israel extends far beyond the current crisis. “We started with the strength of your country on agricultural technology,” Ambassador Vichienpuntu noted. Israel “kindly shared with us the technical assistance for bringing growth and development for our specialized way of doing agriculture.”

Critically, this agricultural cooperation includes Thailand’s Royal Projects. “In Thailand, the king is everything for us,” the ambassador explained. “And the king, he devoted [himself] for our people. And you are part of the project of the king. So that brings us even closer already.”

This royal connection adds another layer to why Thailand maintains such strong ties with Israel despite regional complications–it’s not just about economics or geopolitics, but about programs directly associated with Thailand’s revered monarchy.

Beyond beaches: a maturing relationship

The ambassador also addressed the evolution of Israeli tourism to Thailand, which has moved beyond its party reputation. “During COVID, you had Israeli tourists who were stuck in Koh Phangan,” he recalled. “Then the digital nomads came. After that, the image of Israeli tourism in Koh Phangan changed from just the full moon parties to a more substantive way of traveling.”

He acknowledged past cultural misunderstandings: “We may experience problems about the misunderstanding of Thai culture and Thai etiquette. But finally, with the love of your people, [Israelis] start to understand us.” This mutual understanding, he suggested, provides “a solid foundation to step up to further cooperation.”

Looking forward

The reception showcased UNESCO-recognized Thai cultural heritage–from traditional Khon masked dance to the national costumes currently being considered for intangible heritage status. But it also made clear the country is working towards future cooperation, including recent cybersecurity workshops and potential trade agreements.
“Thailand is a nation that proudly holds love, peace, harmony in our hearts,” Ambassador Vichienpuntu said. “And also, we share our peace-loving character to everyone in this international community.”

When asked about predictions for Gaza’s future, the ambassador was philosophical about the region’s complexity. “I don’t think that anyone can predict,” he said, adding that even those living in the conflict cannot find stable answers to its questions.

As the ambassador floated a kratong in his pool alongside Aviv Ezra, the symbolism wasn’t lost on anyone. Loy Krathong is about letting go of sorrow and welcoming blessings. For Thailand and Israel, after the trauma of October 7 and its aftermath, the ceremony carried special meaning.

“I think that I will have more and more parties like this in the future,” the ambassador promised his guests.

In a region where diplomatic receptions often feel heavy with unspoken tensions, Thailand’s evening of cultural celebration–complete with perfectly prepared pad Thai and heartfelt recognition of its workers–offered something different: a reminder that even in the most complex geopolitical landscapes, there’s room for authentic connection, mutual respect, and really excellent Thai food.

The message was clear: Thailand isn’t going anywhere. Its workers will continue building and farming, Israeli tourists will keep visiting Thailand, and its diplomats will keep cooking up solutions–sometimes literally–to bridge divides and maintain peace. As diplomatic strategies go, it’s hard to argue with one that includes both successful hostage negotiations and perfect pad Thai.