Tragic news "Thai worker" dies from a cluster bomb in Israel. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor is urgently coordinating benefits and arranging to send the body back to Thailand.
On 19 March 2026, Ms. Treenuch Thienthong, Minister of Labor, revealed after receiving a report from the labor attaché at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, that the embassy had received confirmation from Israeli authorities of a Thai worker's death caused by a cluster bomb. The deceased was Mr. Chaiwat Waewnil, approximately 30 years old, originally from Chaiyaphum province. He died at 11:45 p.m. on 18 March. The minister ordered the labor attaché in Israel to take care of and strictly advise Thai workers still in Israel to stay in safe areas and strictly follow official guidelines.
Following this incident of a Thai worker's death, the labor attaché at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv is working closely with the embassy to facilitate assistance, ensure the deceased worker's benefits are secured, and prepare for repatriation of the body to Thailand.
Investigation revealed the deceased had traveled for work through the Department of Employment on 27 May 2025 as an agricultural worker planting potatoes at Ozer farm, located within the Adanim agricultural community about 12 kilometers from Herzliya city. The Israeli forensic unit will conduct an autopsy and return the body to the family via the Royal Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv within 3 to 5 days.
The Ministry expresses condolences to the bereaved family. Officials from Chaiyaphum province and related Ministry of Labor agencies have been assigned to visit the family to offer support, explain the benefits the heirs will receive, and assist in coordinating the power of attorney process to repatriate the body to Thailand following proper procedures.
Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wannapong Kotcharak, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labor, provided additional information on the benefits the deceased's heirs will receive, which include:
1. Benefits from the Fund for Assisting Workers Employed Abroad in case of death overseas. Legal heirs are entitled to financial aid from the fund amounting to 40,000 baht, plus actual funeral expenses abroad up to 40,000 baht.
2. Retirement gratuity of 71,459.14 baht from social security benefits, not including other compensations.
3. Compensation from the Israeli insurance institution, which includes financial assistance for mourning expenses, contribution to burial costs, monthly compensation, annual aid, and other support such as children's education fees and psychological assistance. The amount depends on the insurance institution's evaluation and exchange rates.