Thailand Faces Backlash Over Secret Uyghur Deportation to China

[snoop1130]

Pictures courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

In a controversial move, Thailand has secretly deported 40 Uyghur detainees to China after holding them for nearly 11 years. This deportation, confirmed by Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, has prompted global outrage amid allegations of human rights violations.

 

The transfer, carried out under the cover of darkness on February 27, was completed with a secretive motorcade from Bangkok's Suan Phlu immigration detention center to Don Mueang Airport. The detainees departed on a China Southern Airlines flight, which landed in Kashgar, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

 

Human rights groups and international observers have strongly condemned the deportation. Phil Robertson of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates stated, "Thailand has finally done the unthinkable." Elaine Pearson from Human Rights Watch warned the men now risk facing torture and long-term imprisonment in China.

 

This move contradicts previous assurances from Thai officials and could have severe implications for Thailand's international reputation. People's Party MP Rangsiman Rome noted, "It will have a significant impact on international trust."

 

 

The deportation could strain US-Thailand diplomatic relations, as earlier expressed concerns by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio resurface. Under international law, returning individuals to countries where they might face persecution or torture is prohibited.

 

Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority in Xinjiang, have faced allegations of human rights abuses by China, including forced detention. While China labels it as counter-terrorism measures, these claims have been denied.

 

Thailand's choice disrupts its role as a transit hub for Uyghurs fleeing persecution, particularly as Turkey has been a long-standing supporter of Uyghur asylum seekers. This decision rekindles debates over Thailand's refugee policies, as the detainees were held without access to the National Screening Mechanism, which aids refugees in accessing public services.

 

Now, under intense global scrutiny, Thailand must provide explanations and guarantee the safety of those deported. The international community waits to witness how Thailand addresses the fallout from this controversial decision, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-02-27

 

 

[MikeandDow]

This is a Major mistake by the shinawatra shame on you Thailand

[Mavideol]

8 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

This move contradicts previous assurances from Thai officials and could have severe implications for Thailand's international reputation. People's Party MP Rangsiman Rome noted, "It will have a significant impact on international trust."

only if they had any credibility/good reputation left, which I pretty much doubt, anyway the masters in Beijing requested it Thailand being the 23rd province of China, sure they had to comply or face sanctions from the master Xi

 

There are currently 22 provinces administered by the PRC

 

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_China

 

[dinsdale]

Interestingly just after the puppet PM went to China. I wonder if it was a payoff or a threat by the CCP. 

[ronnie50]

Interesting the PM just met with China's President Xi this month, and her father Thaksin apologized this week for his actions in Tak Bae (killing of Thai muslims). So the question I guess is: was this a plan well in the works (Uyghur 'repatriation') and an agenda item with the Thai PM and Xi? If so, I wonder what Thailand negotiated in return?

[richard_smith237]

hmm...   Thailand playing China's puppet again... 

 

In July 2015 The Thai government forcibly deported nearly 100 Uyghurs to China and that led to  to international criticism.

 

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) claimed that at least 25 Uyghur men were killed while resisting deportation.

 

The Thai government denied these allegations, and the WUC later removed the claim from its statement. The news was 'somehow' kept extremely quiet, even shut down...

 

Stories have since surfaced from time to time that of those (Military) who were there while this happened described events of far greater atrocity than the those claimed by the WUC...

 

Apparently - Tear Gas was thrown into the transport lorries of the Uyghur who were being transported to the 'repatriation aircraft'... those who fled the truck (to avoid the tear-gas') were shot.... Women and children were in a different truck and all survived... 

>>  This is the rumour, whether true or not remains to be seen, all news information which stated this was deleted within a few days of the event....    its perhaps 'dangerous to discuss'...   

 

 

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/thai/uyghurs-reported-deaths-07092015151921.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

[geisha]

Disgusting ! But I don’t suppose they care about their International Reputation. 

[Purdey]

23 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The transfer, carried out under the cover of darkness on February 27, was completed with a secretive motorcade from Bangkok's Suan Phlu immigration detention center to Don Mueang Airport.

Seems that a government should not hide what it is legally allowed to do - unless the government knows that it is sending people to their deaths. Now, the cat is out of the bag. Shame.

[MikeandDow]

9 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

hmm...   Thailand playing China's puppet again... 

 

In July 2015 The Thai government forcibly deported nearly 100 Uyghurs to China and that led to  to international criticism.

 

The World Uyghur Congress (WUC) claimed that at least 25 Uyghur men were killed while resisting deportation.

 

The Thai government denied these allegations, and the WUC later removed the claim from its statement. The news was 'somehow' kept extremely quiet, even shut down...

 

Stories have since surfaced from time to time that of those (Military) who were there while this happened described events of far greater atrocity than the those claimed by the WUC...

 

Apparently - Tear Gas was thrown into the transport lorries of the Uyghur who were being transported to the 'repatriation aircraft'... those who fled the truck (to avoid the tear-gas') were shot.... Women and children were in a different truck and all survived... 

>>  This is the rumour, whether true or not remains to be seen, all news information which stated this was deleted within a few days of the event....    its perhaps 'dangerous to discuss'...   

 

 

https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/thai/uyghurs-reported-deaths-07092015151921.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Would not supprise me at all  take Tak bai  for example

[NoDisplayName]

31 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

warned the men now risk facing torture and long-term imprisonment in China.

 

Lucky for them they weren't picked up and extraordinarily renditioned to Guantanamo for decades of water boardings and anal probing with broom handles with no trial.

 

For freedom!

[TimBKK]

11 years in the ****hole that is the IDC, only to be returned to something that will be far, far worse.  Can you imagine what was going through the minds of the 40 when they realized what was actually happening?  The fear, terror even.  
 

makes me sick and frankly embarrassed to have any association with this rapidly deteriorating joke of a country.

[CallumWK]

13 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Lucky for them they weren't picked up and extraordinarily renditioned to Guantanamo for decades of water boardings and anal probing with broom handles with no trial.

 

For freedom!

 

Maybe they escaped that ordeal because they weren't involved in the biggest terrorist attack in human history.

[traveller101]

Thailand has been elected as a Member of the Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for a 3 year term, beginning 1 January 2025.

Termination of that membership, taking effect immediately, would seem appropriate, to put it mildly.

[connda]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim ethnic minority in Xinjiang, have faced allegations of human rights abuses by China, including forced detention.

Then they come to Thailand and face "forced detention" for 11 years.   🤔

[connda]

46 minutes ago, geisha said:

Disgusting ! But I don’t suppose they care about their International Reputation. 

International Reputation? Their international reputation is that Thailand doesn't take in refugee...period.  I'm pretty sure the actually culture that reputation.  For anyone who hasn't noticed, Thailand doesn't exactly like foreigners.  They tolerate foreigners who have money.  But if you have no money and become a drain on Thai society?  You're not exactly welcome.

[UserC923]

Deep state.

[MikeandDow]

6 minutes ago, connda said:

International Reputation? Their international reputation is that Thailand doesn't take in refugee...period.  I'm pretty sure the actually culture that reputation.  For anyone who hasn't noticed, Thailand doesn't exactly like foreigners.  They tolerate foreigners who have money.  But if you have no money and become a drain on Thai society?  You're not exactly welcome.

Thailand is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention which means they are not legally bound by its provisions regarding refugee protection; this means that Thailand does not have a specific legal framework for protecting refugees within its borders and they may be treated as illegal immigrants if they do not have a valid visa

No legal status for refugees: Due to non-signature, refugees in Thailand lack legal status and can be at risk of arrest and deportation.

[jollyhangmon]

... bunch of lying kackweasels!

 

🤮

[MikeandDow]

PP Rangsiman Rome,  going to have a field day with this

[NoDisplayName]

1 hour ago, CallumWK said:

 

Maybe they escaped that ordeal because they weren't involved in the biggest terrorist attack in human history.

 

I wasn't aware the Afghan sheepherders dropped nukular bombs on civilians.

Learn something new ever' day!

[Tropicalevo]

Thailand treated them very badly in all of the years that they have been in the 'detention' centre.

A good (and very sad) description of their troubles time is here.

Hang your heads in shame Thailand.

 

https://apnews.com/article/uyghur-china-deportation-thailand-xinjiang-human-rights-d6f813654cf40ce464bc19203a226de0

 

[John Drake]

Now for payback it's time for China to frogmarch its tourists back to Thailand.

[Mr Meeseeks]

3 hours ago, Purdey said:

Seems that a government should not hide what it is legally allowed to do - unless the government knows that it is sending people to their deaths. Now, the cat is out of the bag. Shame.

 

Typical Thai modus operandi. 

 

Sneaky and duplicitous. 

[lordgrinz]

4 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

after holding them for nearly 11 years

 

Can someone explain this part? As in if the UN and Human Right Groups knew about this, why they couldn't give them free passage to another country that would take them? Or were the Thai's refusing to let them go to anywhere other than back to China?