A Thai man says he and two other Thais encouraged each other while being held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Watchara Sriaoun spoke to NHK about his more than 15 months as a hostage.

He and four other Thai men returned home on Sunday after being released by Hamas late last month.

Watchara explained that he went to work in Israel several years ago but was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

The 33-year-old said: "We, three people, were living together. We tried to encourage each other."

Watchara said he did not do anything during his captivity, could only bathe once every three or four days, and sometimes did not have enough to eat.

He said, "I just thought of the faces of my mom, my dad and my kid," adding that he wanted to see them again.

Watchara also revealed he was told last month that he would be able to return to Thailand in the next three days.

Thai officials say 28 Thai hostages have been released so far, but one remains in captivity.