Thai PM Responds to US Visa Ban Uncertainty Amid Uyghur Deportation

[webfact]

File photo courtesy: Siam Rath

 

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is in the spotlight as questions loom over her potential inclusion on a U.S. visa ban list. The speculations emerged following Thailand's recent deportation of forty Uyghur detainees to China, a move that has sparked international debate. Reports suggest that in response, Washington might have restricted visas for certain Thai officials.

 

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Ms Paetongtarn stressed the absence of official confirmation regarding her status on any restricted list, saying, "There's no confirmation yet. I still don't know."

 

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Foreign Affairs Ministry would soon provide clarity on the matter and downplayed any serious repercussions, affirming that Thailand has no underlying conflicts with the United States. According to Paetongtarn, the deportation was in line with the kingdom’s obligations, following a prolonged period of holding the Uyghurs in Thailand.

 

Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong defended the decision, countering criticism by explaining the multitude of complaints received, particularly by the Immigration Bureau. He highlighted that the actions were compliant with laws prohibiting torture and enforced disappearance.

 

 

 

Pol Col Tawee underscored that Thailand carefully navigates legal constraints, ensuring deportees would not face harm in China. The Thai government reportedly received assurances from China guaranteeing humane treatment for the Uyghurs and promised Thai officials would periodically monitor their situation.

 

The minister, along with a high-profile delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Kraibun Thuadsong, plans to visit the city of Kashgar in Xinjiang, China. This visit, scheduled for Wednesday, aims to assess firsthand the wellbeing of the deportees, substantiating the commitment to international obligations and human rights standards.

 

Pol Col Tawee also clarified that the upcoming visit should not be perceived as connected to any potential U.S. visa restrictions, indicating that the two issues are independent. He dismissed notions of a comprehensive visa ban from Washington, expressing optimism in ongoing diplomatic engagements.

 

The diplomatic row spotlights Thailand's challenges at the intersection of human rights and international relations, as it navigates pressures from global actors whilst adhering to domestic and international legal frameworks.

 

Any imminent developments regarding the visa status of Thai officials remain to be seen, but the conversation around human rights adherence is sure to continue. Meanwhile, the government's handling of this diplomatically sensitive case will remain under the microscope of international observers, reported Bangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-03-19

 

 

[JoePai]

her potential inclusion on a U.S. visa ban list

 

Excellent, well done the U.S.   🤣

[MikeandDow]

Total PR spin !!   They (goverment) thought they could get away with this !  Quote Thai government reportedly received assurances from China guaranteeing humane treatment for the Uyghurs, did they  (goverment) get this in writting if so show ??

[dinsdale]

13 minutes ago, webfact said:

The diplomatic row spotlights Thailand's challenges at the intersection of human rights and international relations, as it navigates pressures from global actors whilst adhering to domestic and international legal frameworks.

The global actor in this case being China. Again was it financial blackmail or a financial handout from the CCP that these people were sent back to China? 

[lordgrinz]

Hopefully the ICC puts out an arrest warrant for her father, also putting a damper on The Dapper Don.

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

The global actor in this case being China. Again was it financial blackmail or a financial handout from the CCP that these people were sent back to China? 

 

Just like in WWII, they rolled over and did what their Japanese masters told them to do, neutral my arse.

[Dan747]

Total "BS" with more excuses from the Thai government!

[MalcolmB]

20 minutes ago, webfact said:

U.S. visa ban list. The speculations emerged following Thailand's recent deportation of forty

A bit rich coming from the land of clowns complaining about deportations when they themselves are making a show and dance of deporting people. 
 

I hope the idiots give the Thais a visa ban, then Thailand bans Americans from Thailand.

I wouldn’t miss them and I doubt many others would either.

 

Bring it on.

[Robert_Smith]

Ban that whole corrupt family from entering and make all Thai citizens currently residing there do 90 day reports and annual visa extensions, including bedroom photos etc..

 

No more green cards for these grifters!

 

regards,

bob.

[Gweiloman]

I wish the US would put me on their ban list. I wouldn’t visit even if you paid me. Mass shootings every day, filthy streets and even filthier subways and crumbling infrastructure.

 

America still thinks it can tell everyone what to do. They are in for a rude awakening very soon.

[Robert_Smith]

30 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

A bit rich coming from the land of clowns complaining about deportations when they themselves are making a show and dance of deporting people. 
 

I hope the idiots give the Thais a visa ban, then Thailand bans Americans from Thailand.

I wouldn’t miss them and I doubt many others would either.

 

Bring it on.

Who do you think would lose out more in such a scenario???

 

Thailand needs tourists or they end up begging on the streets...

The US sure as hell doesn't need Thais.

 

remember covid? rice kitchens? food handouts?

cos I sure as hell do!

 

bob.

[hotsun]

Only reason why it took Thailand so long to get in the view of the US is because theyre irrelevant and always will be

[YayaManos]

48 minutes ago, JoePai said:

her potential inclusion on a U.S. visa ban list

 

Excellent, well done the U.S.   🤣

I think she is already on the list!

[Robert_Smith]

4 minutes ago, YayaManos said:

I think she is already on the list!

good.

 

stick her dad on it too.

election thieves/autocrats should not be allowed to enter a democracy.

 

regards,

bob.

[MalcolmB]

12 minutes ago, Robert_Smith said:

remember covid? rice kitchens? food handouts?

cos I sure as hell do

Yes, the Thais coped very well, nobody starved.

And they would cope without American tourists also. 
The Russians and Europeans are much more important to the thai tourist economy.

 

The Americans have always had a sense of importance greater than the reality which has only been magnified by that Trump idiot. 
I would prefer Thailand cancelled visas for America. It would make a much more pleasant experience for the rest of us.

[MalcolmB]

12 minutes ago, hotsun said:

Only reason why it took Thailand so long to get in the view of the US is because theyre irrelevant and always will be

I think you will find 99% of the Thai population would feel the same way about the USA.

Most wouldn’t be able to name the capital city or point to it on a map. If it wasn’t for Trump being such a buffoon most wouldn’t be able to name the president either.

 

[Robert_Smith]

3 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I think you will find 99% of the Thai population would feel the same way about the USA.

Most wouldn’t be able to name the capital city or point to it on a map. If it wasn’t for Trump being such a buffoon most wouldn’t be able to name the president either.

 

You are aware that there are over 300,000 Thai citizens currently residing in the US, aren't you?

 

bob.

[hotsun]

6 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I think you will find 99% of the Thai population would feel the same way about the USA.

Most wouldn’t be able to name the capital city or point to it on a map. If it wasn’t for Trump being such a buffoon most wouldn’t be able to name the president either.

 

The majority of thai girls have the US as their most desired destination. If you were a young guy in thailand, id think youd be even more bitter about americans because the girl you were dating found an american guy

 

 

but i digress, youre old so you have to do the hooker thing

[jayboy]

58 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Again was it financial blackmail or a financial handout from the CCP that these people were sent back to China? 

 

Neither.Financial inducement was not necessary.It is just the craven surrender to the Chinese gangster state's pressure.Get used to it.

[ChicagoExpat]

59 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

A bit rich coming from the land of clowns complaining about deportations when they themselves are making a show and dance of deporting people. 
 

I hope the idiots give the Thais a visa ban, then Thailand bans Americans from Thailand.

I wouldn’t miss them and I doubt many others would either.

 

Bring it on.

Wow, did an American take your lolly?  Weird amount of hate.

[ChicagoExpat]

48 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

America still thinks it can tell everyone what to do.

Amazing coming from a supporter of the CCP.  And of course all the more ironic as these people were deported at the demand of the CCP.

[MalcolmB]

7 minutes ago, ChicagoExpat said:

Amazing coming from a supporter of the CCP.  And of course all the more ironic as these people were deported at the demand of the CCP.

Did the CCP take your lolly?
 

Americans carrying on about 40 deported Muslims is absurd.

No wonder there is so much anti-American sentiment in the world these days. 

[Gweiloman]

32 minutes ago, Robert_Smith said:

good.

 

stick her dad on it too.

election thieves/autocrats should not be allowed to enter a democracy.

 

regards,

bob.

Given your obvious hatred of Thailand, I hope, for your sake, that you’re not living here lol.

[hotsun]

4 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Did the CCP take your lolly?
 

Americans carrying on about 40 deported Muslims is absurd.

No wonder there is so much anti-American sentiment in the world these days. 

 

3 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

Given your obvious hatred of Thailand, I hope, for your sake, that you’re not living here lol.

These two support actual genocide. Well done gentleman

[KireB]

1 hour ago, Robert_Smith said:

Ban that whole corrupt family from entering and make all Thai citizens currently residing there do 90 day reports and annual visa extensions, including bedroom photos etc..

 

No more green cards for these grifters!

 

regards,

bob.

 

Only Americans use green cards, so your rant holds no ground (again)

[MalcolmB]

15 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

Given your obvious hatred of Thailand, I hope, for your sake, that you’re not living here lol.

He sounds like your typical fell in love with a bargirl, bought her a house and lost it to her Thai husband and family type.

 

They never get over it.

[Robert_Smith]

5 minutes ago, KireB said:

 

Only Americans use green cards, so your rant holds no ground (again)

No more citizenship for those grifters then.

 

bob.

[hotsun]

Love all the mentally deranged anti americans using thailand as a way to escape reality. Youre living on borrowed time friends, trump will come for you

 

china will not rescue you!

[Social Media]

An off topic post referring to unsubstaniated claims in Gaza has been removed @MalcolmB

[Gweiloman]

30 minutes ago, hotsun said:

 

These two support actual genocide. Well done gentleman

What genocide? Oh, you mean that made up American propaganda. I didn’t realise that educated people in this day and age still bought into that bs. Maybe it’s only the uneducated ones that still do.