CHIANG RAI, Thailand – Nattapong Ruangpanit, a member of the list-based MPs and leader of the People’s Party, commented on the European Parliament’s recent decision to call on the European Commission to use free trade agreements (FTA) as leverage to pressure Thailand into halting the deportation of Uyghur refugees back to China. He emphasized that this action reflects the Thai government’s failure to adhere to international human rights standards.
Nattapong explained that it’s not just about the FTA but also the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which Thailand is trying to join. Both FTA and OECD have standards that require participating countries, including Thailand, to follow international human rights principles. He pointed out that by sending Uyghur refugees back to China, Thailand has faced condemnation from many countries, further highlighting the ongoing human rights issues within the country. This criticism reveals that certain laws and practices in Thailand are not in line with universal human rights norms.
When asked how the opposition would respond, particularly regarding concerns over Article 112, Nattapong reiterated the People’s Party’s long-standing position that any law causing problems must be revised. He affirmed that the issue with Article 112 remains unresolved and that the EU has expressed concerns over it. Therefore, it is the government’s responsibility to find a solution.
Regarding the government’s potential excuse of balancing relations between China and the U.S., Nattapong argued that Thailand must adopt universal principles, such as upholding international human rights. He stressed that while Thailand’s foreign policy may conflict with certain countries’ interests, it will be protected as long as the country adheres to internationally recognized values. (TNA)
