Seven Uyghurs Remain in Thai Prisons as Deportation to China Looms

Seven Uyghurs Remain in Thai Prisons under harsh conditions, facing imminent risk of deportation to China where they would be exposed to severe persecution, torture, indefinite detention, forced labor, and potential death amid the ongoing Uyghur genocide.

By Uyghur Times Staff

May 1, 2025 | Bangkok, Thailand

Ongoing Detention and Urgent Warnings

Seven Uyghurs remain imprisoned in Thailand, with human rights advocates raising grave alarms over their potential forced return to China. The People’s Empowerment Foundation (PEF), a Bangkok-based civil society organization advocating for migrants and refugees, has issued an urgent appeal to the Thai government and the international community to intervene before it is too late. Chalida Tajaroensuk, director of the PEF, confirmed after a recent visit to the detainees shortly before the Songkran holiday that the men remain resolute in their opposition to any deportation to China.

These individuals are part of the remnants of a larger group of approximately 350 Uyghurs who fled severe repression in East Turkistan (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region) and entered Thailand irregularly in March 2014 seeking protection. After more than a decade of arbitrary detention in inhumane conditions—including overcrowding, malnutrition, inadequate medical care, and denial of due process—at least five Uyghurs from the group died in custody, including children, due to medical neglect and harsh environments.

The Five in Klong Prem Prison

Five of the remaining Uyghurs are serving six-year prison sentences in Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok. They were arrested in 2020 after escaping from the Mukdahan Immigration Detention Center in northeastern Thailand, where they cited intolerable conditions as the reason for their breakout. Thai authorities recaptured them and imposed the sentences for the escape attempt.

As of May 2025, these five men have approximately one year remaining on their terms. Ms. Chalida reported that during her visit, they expressed unwavering determination not to be sent back to China, stating that continued imprisonment in Thailand is preferable to return. They informed her that they have access to lawyers assisting in their defense and welcomed any international support to secure their safety. The PEF is actively engaging with multiple embassies in Bangkok, some of which have requested detailed profiles of the men to explore asylum and third-country resettlement options.

The Two in Bangkok Remand Prison

The other two Uyghurs are held in Bangkok Remand Prison, accused of involvement in the 2015 Erawan Shrine bombing in central Bangkok—a high-profile case that killed 20 people and injured over 120. The judicial proceedings remain ongoing, with no final verdict as of May 2025.

These two men have also voiced strong opposition to deportation to China, emphasizing that even prolonged detention in Thailand is better than facing the risks in their homeland. Due to the unresolved criminal charges, no embassies have yet come forward to offer resettlement assistance, complicating efforts to secure protection pathways.

Background of Mass Deportations and International Outcry

Thailand’s handling of the Uyghur group has drawn repeated condemnation from the United Nations, UNHCR, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Uyghur advocacy organizations. In July 2015, Thai authorities forcibly deported 109 Uyghur men to China in a secretive operation involving hooding and shackling, prompting global outrage. More recently, on February 27, 2025, Thailand deported approximately 40 Uyghur men from the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Center to China in a nighttime operation using blacked-out vans and an unscheduled flight to Kashgar—despite urgent pleas from UN experts, the U.S., Canada, the EU, and others to halt the returns under the principle of non-refoulement.

Only three Uyghurs from the original group—those holding valid Kyrgyz passports—were resettled in Canada in April 2025 during the Songkran period, highlighting that third-country solutions are possible for those with alternative documentation.

Responses and Advocacy Efforts

Thai MP Kannavee Suebsang has publicly supported collaboration with UNHCR to facilitate resettlement for the five men in Klong Prem Prison, emphasizing the need for refugee status determination and safe third-country pathways. He has refrained from detailed comment on the two in remand prison due to the ongoing trial.

The PEF and other advocates continue to push for immediate access for the detainees to UNHCR representatives, improved legal representation, medical care, and safeguards against deportation. Ms. Chalida stressed: “They still insist they do not want to be deported to China,” underscoring their fear of persecution upon return.

Uyghur groups call for action

Uyghur diaspora groups, the Uyghur Human Rights Project, and international monitors urge the Thai government to cease any preparations for forced returns, grant full access to international organizations, and prioritize humanitarian solutions. With only a short time remaining before the five in Klong Prem complete their sentences—and the two in remand facing uncertain futures—the international community is called upon to act swiftly to prevent further violations of non-refoulement and ensure the protection of these individuals fleeing genocide.