by Editorial Staff
This is a story that deserves to be told once again, a story that shines a light of hope even in the darkest moments.
Natthaporn Onkeaw, a young 26-year-old Thai man, found himself trapped in the clutches of Hamas in Gaza, following the terrorist attack on October 7 that started an ongoing war. Kidnapped together with other compatriots, agricultural workers seized in the kibbutzim around the Strip, Natthaporn lived days of terror, imploring Buddha every day for his salvation. In those dark hours, imprisoned underground for two months, he made a promise to himself: if he saw the dawn of a new day, if he survived that hell, he would become Buddhist monk.
“I missed home so much. It’s something you would never expect to happen to you,” she told Reuters, wearing the Thai and Israeli flags.
And it was a touching moment when Thongkoon Onkaew, Natthaporn’s mother, anxiously shared her joy with the media. «I am indescribably happy for my son and for the other Thai citizens recently freed from Hamas captivity – she emotionally declared to the press -. It was at 5 in the morning when my niece called me, announcing that my son had been freed from the hostages. I couldn’t believe my ears. She then sent me a photo and I saw my son’s face. At that moment I thought: “That’s my son! My child!””.
At an airport in northeastern Thailand, relatives showered Natthaporn with hugs, flowers and garlands. Later, family and friends gathered in traditional Thai ritual to celebrate his homecoming by tying sacred threads around his wrist. The young man said that he was given food and water but he never even managed to take a shower.
And it is precisely following its release that Natthaporn Onkeaw he decided to keep his promise to become a Buddhist. As she told the Catholic-inspired French newspaper at that time La Croix International, after returning to his homeland he went to live in a monastery. There he embarked on the journey towards his inner rebirth. Last January 15, in Ban Nongsang, Nakhon Pathom province, he was ordained as a monk. The ceremony, steeped in sacredness, saw Natthaporn receive the shaving of his hair, eyebrows and white dress, marking his new beginning.
His conversion story is not an exception, but reflects an increasingly widespread practice in Thailand. With 90% of the population Buddhist, becoming a temporary monk is a common rite of passage for many young Thais. Entering temporary monastic life offers not only a way to honor the memory of loved ones or gain forgiveness, but also the opportunity to accumulate merit for one’s karma.
Initially, these ceremonies lasted three lunar cycles, from the beginning of July until October, during the rainy period. Some have continued this practice beyond the traditional “Buddhist Lent”, extending it for several years, highlighting that becoming a monk for a short period is now a widespread habit. This tradition, especially for less wealthy families, not only offers the opportunity to access education, but also alleviates the family’s food burden.
“Ordination at age 20 is one of the most significant rites of passage from childhood to adulthood,” said Prakirati Satusut, professor of anthropology at Thammasat University, a public research university in Thailand. Traditionally, it is seen as a moral education for young people: they study with older monks and live away from family comforts to acquire valuable values before starting a career and starting a family.”
Over 30,000 Thai citizens engage in the land of Israelmany of whom work in fields such as agricultural labourers, making up one of the largest groups of migrant workers in the country. Natthaporn Onkaew’s mother revealed that her son was one such worker, the pillar of the family, regularly sending remittances to support her loved ones, including paying school fees for his young 12-year-old sister.
In a world marked by violence and discord, the story of this young Thai hostage who survived the hell of Gaza reminds us that even in the deepest darkness, there is always a way to light. His testimony of hope and rebirth resonates as a call to human resilience and the strength of faith.
(Photo: AsiaNews)
