Uyghur Detainees in Thai Jails and Resettlement Efforts
NGO leader monitors conditions of incarcerated Uyghurs
In Thailand, a troubling situation unfolds as seven Uyghur individuals find themselves behind bars, separated into two groups.
The first group, made up of five Uyghurs, allegedly attempted to escape from a detention center in Mukdahan back in 2020. Now serving six-year prison terms at the Klongprem Central Prison in Bangkok, they face a year or less before potential deportation to China - a prospect they vehemently reject[2][4].
Chalida Tajaroensuk, chairperson of the People's Empowerment Foundation, visited these five Uyghurs in prison prior to the recent Songkran holiday, noting their strong wish to avoid return to China. Efforts are underway to secure a resettlement deal for these five individuals in a third country, as Ms. Tajaroensuk works tirelessly to gather information and liaise with various embassies[2][4].
Meanwhile, two other Uyghurs are incarcerated at Bangkok Remand Prison, pending trial over their alleged involvement in the Erawan Shrine bombing in 2015. Despite the possibility of wrapping up the case this year, courts have been informed that the suspects prefer the proceedings to continue, fearing deportation to China[4]. As of now, no interested third-party has contacted the People's Empowerment Foundation regarding a potential resettlement for these two Uyghurs[4].
Local MP Kannavee Suebsang is watching the situation of the five Uyghurs detained at Klongprem Central Prison closely, expressing his readiness to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to help them. However, he remains silent on the subject of the Uyghurs arrested over the Erawan Shrine bombing as the case is still being deliberated in court[4].
Out of the original 43 Uyghurs detained at Suan Phlu Immigration Centre in Bangkok, 40 were deported to China. The last three Uyghurs held Kyrgyz passports, and were successfully resettled in Canada[1][3].
Multiple parties - the Thai authorities, various embassies, NGOs like the People's Empowerment Foundation, and human rights groups worldwide - are closely involved in the matter, raising concerns over the possible fate of these Uyghur detainees under Chinese jurisdiction.
The People's Empowerment Foundation is working to secure a resettlement deal for the five Uyghurs currently detained at Klongprem Central Prison, who have expressed a strong desire to avoid deportation to China. In a recent interview, local MP Kannavee Suebsang expressed his readiness to assist the five Uyghurs with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, but remains silent on the subject of the Uyghurs arrested over the Erawan Shrine bombing. General-news outlets continue to cover the situation closely, acknowledging the ongoing concerns of international human rights groups regarding the possible fate of these Uyghur detainees should they be sent back to China.
