“We were the sole party that spoke to Hamas since the beginning of the war to ask for the release of Thais,” Thai-Iran Alumni Association President, Lerpong Syed told Reuters, countering reports that gave credit to the foreign ministry and other negotiators.

Lerpong is part of a group of Thai Muslims convened by the country’s parliamentary speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, who travelled to Tehran in October and spoke with Hamas representatives.

“If Thailand only relied on the foreign ministry or asked other countries for help — the chances of getting released with the first group would be very low,” he said, adding that other countries with hostages such as the United States, Germany, and France have more influence.

When asked about parallel efforts, Lerpong said: “My responsibility is to bring Thais home and if (other governments) want to have a say, that’s fine. I consider I accomplished my mission.”