Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that she is unsure if she is on the list of Thai officials recently banned by the U.S. from obtaining visas due to the deportation of 40 Uyghur detainees to China.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Ms. Paetongtarn said, “There’s no confirmation yet. I still don’t know,” when asked about her potential inclusion on the list.
She noted that the Foreign Affairs Ministry would provide more clarity on the situation, emphasizing that Thailand has no contentious issues with the United States and is simply fulfilling its responsibilities in repatriating the ethnic group after their lengthy detention in the country.
Ms. Paetongtarn also minimized the potential repercussions of the controversial deportation, stating, “We will discuss the matter, but it’s not serious.”
Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong defended the decision to deport the Uyghurs, explaining it was based on numerous complaints, particularly from the Immigration Bureau, regarding possible violations of anti-torture and enforced disappearance laws.
Pol Col Tawee mentioned that Thailand had to navigate multiple legal challenges while ensuring that the deportees would not face torture or execution upon returning to their homeland.
He also stated that the Thai government received diplomatic assurances from China that the deportees would be treated humanely and that Thai officials would be allowed to visit them in China later to monitor their well-being.
According to Pol Col Tawee, the government acted in accordance with both domestic laws and international obligations while aiming to uphold human rights.
He is scheduled to travel to Kashgar in China’s Xinjiang region on Wednesday, accompanied by several government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Deputy National Police Chief Pol Gen Kraibun Thuadsong, and government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub, to visit the deported Uyghurs and assess their well-being.
When asked whether evidence proving the deportees are alive and well might lead the U.S. to reconsider the visa ban on Thai officials, Pol Col Tawee stated that the visit to China and the visa ban are two separate issues.
He indicated that Washington would not impose an outright visa ban based on the statement from the U.S. Embassy.
