Thai Deputy PM Phumtham Reassures Uyghurs in Xinjiang Visit

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

In what many view as a poignant gesture, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, recently travelled to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. His visit was marked by an apology for the prolonged detention of some Uyghur individuals in Thailand, emphasising that the intention was always to reunite these individuals with their families back home.

 

Yesterday, March 19, Phumtham, who also serves as the defence minister, met a Uyghur couple in Xinjiang who had returned just over a fortnight ago. The couple, having spent 11 challenging years away from their homeland, received Phumtham with a sense of renewed hope and hearty appreciation.

 

The Uyghur man, now home after over a decade, remarked on the extensive changes in his community, particularly the new housing developments by the Chinese government following a past earthquake. Reflecting on his journey, he recounted how promises of a better life abroad lured him to Thailand, a decision he now regrets, having realised his true contentment lies at home.

 

Despite initial apprehensions of detention upon returning to Xinjiang, he experienced a safe welcome instead. Drawing from his experience, he now works as a chef at his sister’s restaurant, while his family resides in another city. The Thais he encountered have reassured him of their support through his transition.

 

Phumtham's visit was more than ceremonial; it was an attempt to ascertain their well-being personally. He articulated that the legal constraints meant long detentions were unfortunately unavoidable when no third country was prepared to accept them.

 

 

 

In a touching moment, the Uyghur man displayed his identification and household documents, symbolic of his reintegration and his entitlement to compensation for lost wages. Phumtham was subsequently able to convey his relief, having confirmed the safety and satisfaction of those returned.

 

Meanwhile, Phumtham addressed concerns vocalised by some in Thailand about the potential mistreatment of returnees by the Chinese authorities. Both his reassurances and the Uyghur community’s affirmations challenge these fears, revealing a narrative of relief and resettlement.

 

As warmth and gratitude filled the air, a family member, the man’s sister, articulated her joy of reuniting, metaphorically likening it to receiving wings to soar once more. Her sentiment encapsulated the emotional reunion, one many thought was hopeless with fears they could have perished in Thailand.

 

Overall, Phumtham's visit underscores Thailand's commitment to handling sensitive international issues with diplomacy and compassion while ensuring that actions align with legal obligations and humanitarian concerns, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-20

 

 

[MikeandDow]

PR BS

[SmartyMarty]

If you believe this, you will believe anything. The Uyghurs are one of the most persecuted groups in China. this is a farce.

[John Drake]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Overall, Phumtham's visit underscores Thailand's commitment to handling sensitive international issues with diplomacy and compassion while ensuring that actions align with legal obligations and humanitarian concerns, reported The Thaiger.

 

Everything is fine!

[dinsdale]

Chinese/Thai propaganda piece.

[Mr Meeseeks]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

In what many view as a poignant gesture

 

Pure propaganda. 

 

The article is nauseating. Shame on those who wrote it, translated it and reposted it on here. Disgusting. 🤢 

[hotchilli]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

In what many view as a poignant gesture, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, recently travelled to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. His visit was marked by an apology for the prolonged detention of some Uyghur individuals in Thailand, emphasising that the intention was always to reunite these individuals with their families back home.

For which the victims must feel grateful ?

My old man said "when in a hole stop digging"

Thailand gets out the back-hoe

[newbee2022]

17 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

In what many view as a poignant gesture, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, recently travelled to the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. His visit was marked by an apology for the prolonged detention of some Uyghur individuals in Thailand, emphasising that the intention was always to reunite these individuals with their families back home.

 

Yesterday, March 19, Phumtham, who also serves as the defence minister, met a Uyghur couple in Xinjiang who had returned just over a fortnight ago. The couple, having spent 11 challenging years away from their homeland, received Phumtham with a sense of renewed hope and hearty appreciation.

 

The Uyghur man, now home after over a decade, remarked on the extensive changes in his community, particularly the new housing developments by the Chinese government following a past earthquake. Reflecting on his journey, he recounted how promises of a better life abroad lured him to Thailand, a decision he now regrets, having realised his true contentment lies at home.

 

Despite initial apprehensions of detention upon returning to Xinjiang, he experienced a safe welcome instead. Drawing from his experience, he now works as a chef at his sister’s restaurant, while his family resides in another city. The Thais he encountered have reassured him of their support through his transition.

 

Phumtham's visit was more than ceremonial; it was an attempt to ascertain their well-being personally. He articulated that the legal constraints meant long detentions were unfortunately unavoidable when no third country was prepared to accept them.

 

 

 

In a touching moment, the Uyghur man displayed his identification and household documents, symbolic of his reintegration and his entitlement to compensation for lost wages. Phumtham was subsequently able to convey his relief, having confirmed the safety and satisfaction of those returned.

 

Meanwhile, Phumtham addressed concerns vocalised by some in Thailand about the potential mistreatment of returnees by the Chinese authorities. Both his reassurances and the Uyghur community’s affirmations challenge these fears, revealing a narrative of relief and resettlement.

 

As warmth and gratitude filled the air, a family member, the man’s sister, articulated her joy of reuniting, metaphorically likening it to receiving wings to soar once more. Her sentiment encapsulated the emotional reunion, one many thought was hopeless with fears they could have perished in Thailand.

 

Overall, Phumtham's visit underscores Thailand's commitment to handling sensitive international issues with diplomacy and compassion while ensuring that actions align with legal obligations and humanitarian concerns, reported The Thaiger.

 

-- 2025-03-20

 

 

Well, the truth is, that the Thais visited China and we're allowed to talk to FIVE Uighurs only.

Where are the other dozens? Killed already? Or in prison? Or relocated?

The Thais try to white wash themselves because of concerns from EU and US.

I hope it will not work😳

[jippytum]

Face saving exercise to placate mainstream media by Thaksin's puppet. 

[spidermike007]

The CCP did a very nice job of staging that photo and this event, and either the Thai representative was totally deceived or he simply went along with the stooge event. Everybody knows what happens to these guys, everybody knows how vicious and heartless the CCP is, and everybody knows how badly persecuted these people are.

 

Thailand dropped the ball, the government showed extreme levels of moral bankruptcy and cowardice, and they got the kind of egg on their face that they deserved. 

[mran66]

Sarcasm is entertaining at times, though not always. 

[Srikcir]

One certainty with this Thai government is that it will do great as a comedy club

[couchpotato]

21 hours ago, SmartyMarty said:

If you believe this, you will believe anything. The Uyghurs are one of the most persecuted groups in China. this is a farce.

Totally agree...

I worked in Urumqi a long time ago, and even then the Chinese gave them hell.

But since my time there it got a 1000 times worse with basic ethnic cleansing and Uyghur rights completely taken away.

 

The moral of the story being that there is no way the Chinese would let the delegation near any dissidents.

These people they meet are being told what to say, how to smile etc, under threats.

 

Plus if you were basically imprisoned in Thailand in harsh conditions, you wouldn't be holding the captors hands and lovingly smiling...just utter PR silliness on the part of the Thai Govt that has probably made them a laughing stock with many countries.

 

 

 

[BusyB]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

He articulated that the legal constraints meant long detentions were unfortunately unavoidable when no third country was prepared to accept them.

 

That is clearly a downright lie. Several countries offered to take them. Who are we to believe eh?

[Banana7]

The other 41 out of 42 are are in prison or a labour camp or have already been executed or are somewhere else being re-educated/brain washed into Chinese communism propaganda.

[Purdey]

I am happy to see most people can glance at a photo and say it is faked. I am not as certain it is not people thankful to be home.

[portisaacozzy]

13 hours ago, hotchilli said:

For which the victims must feel grateful ?

My old man said "when in a hole stop digging"

Thailand gets out the back-hoe

stop it !.you are spoiling a lovely fairy story 'and they all lived happily ever after' !

[fondue zoo]

 

See, they have various nuts in glass bowls, they're all good, bye, don't write..

 

 

It reminds of that scene in the movie The Interview, where the guy discovers the shop is plastic fruit and fake fronts.

 

[GammaGlobulin]

On 3/20/2025 at 4:18 PM, SmartyMarty said:

If you believe this, you will believe anything. The Uyghurs are one of the most persecuted groups in China. this is a farce.

 

Or, buy anything.....

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

What power does a Thai Deputy PM have in China?  SFA!!

[watchcat]

On 3/20/2025 at 7:59 AM, webfact said:

the intention was always to reunite these individuals with their families back home.

 

During 11 years?

[drgoon]

On 3/20/2025 at 8:59 PM, webfact said:

The Uyghur man, now home after over a decade, remarked on the extensive changes in his community, particularly the new housing developments by the Chinese government following a past earthquake. Reflecting on his journey, he recounted how promises of a better life abroad lured him to Thailand, a decision he now regrets, having realised his true contentment lies at home.

I wonder if he was pressured to make these comments?