20-3-2025 (BANGKOK) Thailand’s Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has conducted a significant fact-finding mission to China’s Xinjiang region, marking a crucial development in the aftermath of February’s controversial Uyghur repatriation.
The historic Id Kah Mosque, a Ming Dynasty architectural marvel dating back over five centuries, served as the backdrop for high-level discussions between Thai officials and local Islamic leadership. The mosque, which achieved national heritage status in 2001, stands as a testament to China’s religious preservation efforts, complete with modern amenities including heating systems and government-funded restoration works.
In a poignant encounter in Shufu County, Kashgar Prefecture, a returning Uyghur shared his remarkable journey of reunion. After a dozen years of separation following his detention in Thailand, he described an emotional homecoming, where he was greeted by his parents and sister without any governmental interference. The man, who had departed as a youth under the influence of extremist elements, spoke of his complex family dynamics, including a dissolved marriage and relationships with his children.
The religious authorities in Xinjiang offered reassurances regarding the welfare of all 40 repatriated individuals, emphasising their successful family reunifications and the government’s commitment to their reintegration. The delegation, which included Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong and National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuad, received detailed briefings on the deportees’ current circumstances.
Speaking through an interpreter, the repatriated individual expressed gratitude for both nations’ roles in facilitating his return. He detailed how Chinese authorities promptly restored his citizenship documentation and household registration, enabling his swift reintegration into the community. His account included warm reception from neighbours and the emotional weight of reuniting with family members after his prolonged absence.
