Ex-Prime Minister shrugs off US visa move

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra dismissed the visa sanctions the US imposed on Thai officials in connection with the deportation at least 40 Uyghurs to China last month.

On Monday, he said that US authorities had acted on old information, and he insisted that the deportation was legal and consistent with international and humanitarian standards.

Thaksin said the Uyghurs had been held for illegal entry for 11 years and no country had offered them a safe refuge.

“Neither did keep the US and Europe in shelter for them. They were Chinese citizens, and since China gave assurances it would not prosecute them after their return, they should have been returned to their families,” he said.

Response to a question on the US review of the situation: The United States understands the situation, we will make the world the simplest to understand, but international politics is very complicated process. The US sanctions came on the heels of a European Parliament resolution condemning Thailand for the deportation of the Uyghurs and the lese majeste law.

The government has been in diplomatic channels to inquire [about the matter]‘, he added, noting that the European Parliament had passed a resolution against Thailand over the matter, but negotiations for a free trade agreement still went ahead.

For her part, Greta Lee, the star of Apple TV+’s “Beef,” wrote: “Nothing to be afraid of. If I’m not worried, don’t worry,” he said.

Thaksin downplayed speculation that the US visa sanctions would apply to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra or cabinet ministers.

“That isn’t a problem. Nothing is permanent. If they do not know, we explain it to them.” Nothing to worry about,” he said.

When asked if it would be necessary for a visit to take place to address the matter, he answered that dialogue could be conducted on various levels and that there were multiple ways to talk.

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai meanwhile said on Monday the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had responded to the concerns over deportation of Uyghurs.