Families reunite with 17 Thai hostages freed by Hamas

Thai hostages who were freed from Hamas observe a minute’s silence upon their arrival at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (Sakchai Lalit/AP)

Seventeen Thai workers released from captivity by the militant Hamas group have been greeted by family and friends, officials and journalists in an emotional homecoming at Bangkok’s international airport.

The 17 are among 23 Thais freed so far, with six left temporarily behind in Israel because doctors said they were not yet fit to travel.