International pressure is mounting on Thailand – including from the new US administration – over the fate of dozens of Uyghur men held in detention for more than a decade, following reports the Thai government planned to deport the group to China.

On January 22, 2025, several UN experts published a statement indicating that the Government of Thailand must immediately halt the possible transfer of 48 Uyghurs

Experts say the law has a chilling effect and has led to the detention, prosecution and punishment of more than 270 people since 2020.

The UN indicated Friday it was urging Thailand not to send dozens of detained Uyghurs to any country where they risk “significant” harm, after reported plans to deport them to China. Rights groups have warned that Bangkok is preparing to deport imminently a group of 48 members of China’s mostly Muslim Uyghur minority,

The has UN urged Thailand to halt deportation of 47 Uyghurs to China due to risks of torture and non-refoulement violations. Right groups signals potential preparations for deportation, although Thai authorities deny immediate plans.

BANGKOK: Thai authorities denied on Wednesday (Jan 22) there was an immediate plan to send back to China 48 Uyghurs held in the country's detention centres, after UN experts warned the group could face torture if they return.

The UN experts also called on Thailand, which is a member of the UN Human Rights Council, to respect its obligations under international law. “The prohibition on refoulement prohibits the return ...

The experts’ statement comes less than a week after Republican Sen. Marco Rubio said he would lobby Thailand against deporting the 48 Uyghurs to China during a hearing on his nomination for the post of U.S. secretary of state, which he was confirmed for on Monday.

The UN indicated Friday it was urging Thailand not to send dozens of detained Uyghurs to any country where they risk “significant” harm, after reported

Hundreds of LGBTQ couples on Thursday became legally married in Thailand, which celebrates a historic day as the first nation in Southeast Asia to guarantee equal marital rights for same-sex couples.

Wang Xing, a 31-year-old Chinese actor, travelled to Thailand early this month after receiving an unsolicited offer to join a film that was shooting in the country

Mr Trump has paused development assistance from USAid for 90 days to assess compatibility with his "America First" policy. Read more at straitstimes.com.