Global General

27 Thai hostages return from Somalia

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-21 16:15

BANGKOK - A group of 27 Thai crew members held hostage by Somalia pirates have returned home, the Bangkok Post reported on Thursday.

The 27 Thais, crew members of the MV Thor Nexus, arrived at Thailand's international Suvarnabhumi Airport at noon on Wednesday by Qatar Airways after having been detained by the pirates for about four months.

Their cargo ship was seized on December 23 last year while it was en route to Bangladesh from the United Arab Emirates.

Their release was secured by the company which owns the freighter.

Thailand has sent its navy ships to join the international effort against Somalia piracy in the Gulf of Aden.

However, HTMS Similan and HTMS Pattani, sent by the Thai Navy in the mission against Somalia piracy, returned home in January despite the fact that 27 Thai crew remained captive on a cargo ship seized by Somali pirates at that time.