Thai officials set to visit China to check on Uighur deportees

BANGKOK – A delegation from the Thai government will visit China this week to check on the welfare of dozens of Uighur refugees after their controversial deportation drew global condemnation and US travel sanctions on Thai officials.

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will lead the delegation to Kashi city in Xinjiang, which will also include members of the media, government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said in a statement on March 16.

The March 18 to 20 visit is to follow up on concerns expressed by several countries about the welfare of the refugees, he said.

Thailand has defended its move to return 40 Uighurs to China in February, saying it has received assurances from Beijing about their safety and integration back into society.

The visit by Thai officials is part of a deal struck by Bangkok with the Chinese authorities when it agreed to send the Uighurs back after a decade in detention.

The US State Department on March 15 announced travel restrictions on an unspecified number of current and former Thai officials involved in the deportation of Uighurs.

The sanctions are part of a new policy aimed at combating China’s efforts to pressure governments to forcibly return Uighurs and others to China, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The US did not identify the Thai officials who will face visa restrictions. It said certain family members of the targeted individuals may also be subject to the measures.

China ties

Thai officials earlier described the Feb 27 deportation as the “best solution” to avoid a backlash from Beijing.

Thailand – a longstanding treaty ally of the US – has deepened its ties with China in recent years, with its Asian neighbour emerging as its largest trade partner and a key source of foreign investment.

The deportation followed Thai