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.

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

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

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,

In a significant boost to recognizing transgender people’s rights, the Thai government announced this week that it will invest 145 million baht (US$4.3 million) in providing hormone therapy to transgender people.

Authorities in Thailand on Wednesday denied there was an immediate plan to send back to China 48 Uyghurs held in the Southeast Asian country's detention centers after United Nations experts warned that the group could face torture if they return.

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

For government critics in Southeast Asia, fleeing abroad does not necessarily mean safety. Thailand is growing particularly dangerous for foreigners seeking protection.

Five Thai hostages have been released after 15 months of captivity in the Gaza Strip. On Thursday, dozens of doctors, nurses and representatives from Israel and Thailand waved flags, sang, and cheered