BANGKOK, Thailand – Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the leader of the People’s Party and the leader of the opposition in the Thai House of Representatives, spoke about the U.S. government’s recent decision to impose visa restrictions on Thai officials involved in the deportation of 40 Uyghur people to China, March 15. He expressed his concern that Thailand’s foreign policy should be carefully considered, and that decisions should align with international human rights principles, rather than being influenced by geopolitical power struggles. He emphasized that if Thailand adhered to universal human rights standards, no country would be able to criticize Thailand’s actions.
In response to questions regarding the potential impact of the U.S. visa sanctions on senior Thai officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Natthaphong expressed his hope that the country would avoid further damage to its image. He pointed out that the responsibility now lay with the Thai government to address the situation and mitigate any potential harm.
Regarding the suggestion from former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to invite the European Union ambassador to directly discuss the issue, Natthaphong noted that the EU has clear principles on human rights, and such a discussion may not change the EU’s stance. He warned against behind-the-scenes negotiations, suggesting instead that Thailand should openly demonstrate its commitment to universal human rights principles.
When asked about the potential impact of the U.S. measures, which have historically been applied to authoritarian regimes and terrorists, Natthaphong expressed concern about how this could affect Thailand’s international reputation. He stressed that beyond the economic factors and the need to attract foreign investment, Thailand’s democracy index and global image were critical for the country’s future.
In light of the Thai government’s planned visit to China to observe the situation of the Uyghur people, Natthaphong emphasized the importance of transparency and independence in the process. He urged that the delegation not be manipulated into a “whitewashing” exercise. He suggested that the group should include international representatives to ensure that the visit was independent and credible, and that no restrictions should be imposed on who they could meet or where they could go within China. This, he argued, would make the process more credible and acceptable to the international community, as opposed to a visit that was not fully transparent.
