Beijing: "Phumtham" thanked the Chinese government for arranging for Thailand to meet the Uighurs who were sent back, even though there was little time. Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, expressed his gratitude to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang for their support and hospitality. He described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen Thai-Chinese relations, continuing from the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. Mr. Phumtham introduced the media group accompanying him, which included representatives from TV, newspapers, and online platforms, to report on the occasion.
According to Thai News Agency, the visit aimed to enhance international relations, focusing on security cooperation in areas such as combating transnational crimes, counterterrorism, telecommunications fraud, and illegal immigration. Another key objective was to visit the Uighurs who were returned by the Thai government in February. The Chinese government permitted the Thai delegation to visit the Uighurs as part of a bilateral agreement.
Mr. Phumtham noted that China's initial briefing would help clarify the situation, allowing them to communicate the decisions of the Thai and Chinese governments to the Thai public. He emphasized the sincerity and adherence to international human rights laws in addressing issues beneficial to the Uighurs in Thailand. He expressed that the visit provided a chance to witness the reality and highlighted the Thai government's gratitude for China's cooperation, given the logistical challenges involved in arranging the meeting.
He commended China's rapid development of Xinjiang Province, which attracts millions of tourists annually. Despite the brief visit, Mr. Phumtham appreciated the province's transformation and the coexistence of diverse ethnic groups. He expressed disappointment at the limited time available to explore the region's beauty and livability.
Mr. Phumtham emphasized the importance of understanding the Uighurs' conditions upon their return and expressed interest in their treatment and living conditions. He hoped for their successful integration into their new society through vocational training. He thanked the Chinese government once more for facilitating communication with the Uighurs through video calls, which allowed the delegation to learn about the lives of the 40 Uighurs and their experiences since 2014.