Thailand's Security Council Chief Vows Court Process for Two Uyghur Men
Officials state that a formal Chinese request is required before any deportation can proceed, ending years of administrative limbo for the pair.
By Elena Perry ·
Bangkok authorities have moved to place two detained Uyghur men under judicial review, a shift from the administrative handling used in previous deportations. The decision follows public appeals from the men and growing scrutiny from human rights groups. This new procedural path aims to address concerns that the pair could face mistreatment if returned to their home country.
Chaipruak Doungprapat, the head of Thailand's National Security Council, announced on Wednesday that his agency will no longer make the final determination on the men's status. He stated that the case will proceed through the court system, granting the detainees the right to defend themselves. This approach contrasts with last year's handling of 40 Uyghur men, who were sent back to China after a direct executive decision.
Doungprapat explained that the judicial outcome will dictate the men's next steps. If the court rules against them, they will be extradited in accordance with existing treaties between the two nations. Conversely, a favorable ruling could allow for their resettlement in a third country. He emphasized that this judicial process supersedes the previous administrative route, ensuring a formal legal record of the decision.
The two men, aged 26 and 35, have been held in Thailand for over a decade. They were released from prison in late October and are currently housed at the Suan Plu immigration detention center in Bangkok. In letters shared publicly last week, the men pleaded against being sent back to China. One man wrote, "Every time we are worrying from China to take back us," adding, "We aren’t terrorist."
These letters were distributed by Kannavee Suebsang, a former lawmaker and founder of the Peace Rights Foundation. The organization represents the men and has advocated for their protection since their initial detention. Suebsang's group has highlighted the men's fear of returning to a region where they face specific ethnic and religious scrutiny.
China has maintained that the return of Uyghurs is part of a joint effort to combat cross-border crimes and illegal immigration. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated on Wednesday that the cooperation aligns with both domestic laws and international practice. She did not confirm whether a formal extradition request had already been submitted to Thai authorities.
Sasinan Thamnithinan, a lawmaker for the opposition People's Party, argued that Thailand must adhere to international law by ensuring no individual is returned to face potential torture. He stated that maintaining diplomatic relations must not override the rule of law. "No one should be sent back to face danger simply because the government wants to end a problem," he said.
The current situation stems from a 2014 detention of more than 300 Uyghurs near the Thai-Malaysia border. Thailand initially sent a group of women and children to Turkey, while deporting 109 remaining detainees to China in 2015. That move sparked international protests, including a ransacking of the Thai embassy in Turkey. In February 2025, Thailand deported another 40 Uyghur men to China despite objections from U.N. officials and domestic lawmakers.
