Thai officials set to visit China to check on Uighur deportees

An immigration detention centre in Bangkok. The group of deportees was the last of hundreds of Uighurs who had fled China in 2014 and were detained in Thailand. -- PHOTO: AFP

BANGKOK (The Straits Times/ANN): A delegation from the Thai government will visit China this week to check on the welfare of dozens of Uighur refugees after their controversial deportation drew global condemnation and US travel sanctions on Thai officials.

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will lead the delegation to Kashi city in Xinjiang, which will also include members of the media, said government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub in a statement on March 16.