BANGKOK, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Phumtham Wechayachai defended Thailand’s decision to repatriate Uyghur detainees to China, emphasizing that the government had no alternative but to act in accordance with the law, February 28. He also criticized Western nations, including the United States, for previously declining to grant asylum to the Uyghurs despite their expressed concerns.
Speaking at the Ministry of Defense, Phumtham acknowledged concerns about potential terrorist threats following the repatriation but asserted that the Thai government had received official assurances from China regarding the individuals’ safety. He noted that Beijing had the right to request the return of the Uyghurs, who had been detained in Thailand for over 11 years, and that previous efforts to send them to third countries had largely failed. While Turkey had accepted over 100 Uyghurs in the past, other Western nations refused, prioritizing their own national interests.
Phumtham reaffirmed that Thailand’s decision was made in adherence to its sovereignty, domestic laws, and international legal principles. He stressed that Thailand had no vested interest in the matter but was obligated to uphold legal processes. He also pointed out that prolonged detention of the Uyghurs had led to accusations of human rights violations, conflicting with Thailand’s 2022 Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act.
Additionally, he urged both Thai and international media, particularly certain Thai news outlets, to avoid sensationalizing the issue, arguing that it would not benefit the country. He reiterated that Thailand acted out of goodwill and had no intention of sending anyone to their death but sought to resolve the issue in a lawful and responsible manner.
When asked about intelligence reports on potential security threats, Phumtham stated that there were no immediate concerns but assured that authorities would continue monitoring the situation closely. He maintained that Thailand had acted lawfully in returning the Uyghurs and did not anticipate further controversy. However, he acknowledged that any unforeseen developments would need to be addressed accordingly.
