The US Embassy in Bangkok has issued a warning to American citizens, urging them to “exercise increased caution and vigilance” due to the potential for violent retaliatory attacks following the deportation of 45 Uyghurs from Thailand to China. The move comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned the deportations as a “forced return of at least 40 Uyghurs to China”, where they lack due process rights and have faced persecution, forced labor, and torture.
Similar deportations in the past have prompted violent attacks, most notably in 2015 when improvised explosive devices detonated at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, killing 20 people and injuring 125 others. The Embassy is now advising Americans to avoid crowded locations frequented by tourists due to the increased risk of collateral damage.
Rubio has urged all governments not to forcibly return ethnic Uyghurs to China, calling on Chinese authorities to provide regular access to verify the well-being of the returned individuals. He also emphasized that Thailand’s commitment to protecting human rights is at risk with this action.
The US Embassy’s warning comes amid concerns over the treatment of Uyghurs in China and Thailand’s handling of the situation.
Source: https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-embassy-thailand-warns-americans-123527553.html