United States ambassador Glyn Davies reiterated his government’s disappointment over Thailand's repatriation of two Chinese activists last week during a meeting Monday with Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
Following the session at the Defence Ministry, which Gen Prawit also heads, Mr Davies told reporters that he expressed the US's deep disappointment with the repatriation of the two Chinese activists despite their refugee status.
Mr Davies comments repeat the official stance of the US State Department which on Nov 18 publicly expressed "grave disappointment" with the deportations. Spokesman John Kirby urged Thailand to abide by its international obligations and commitments and its longstanding practice of providing safe haven to vulnerable persons.
The rebukes come after United Nations-certified refugees Jiang Yefei and Don Guangping were arrested on Oct 28 just before their departure to Canada. Thai authorities repeated Chinese government claims they were anti-Beijing activists allegedly involved in human trafficking there.
On Monday, Mr Davies said the pair now could face harsh treatment, arbitrary detention and the lack of due process in China.
Both the UN's High Commissioner for Refugee and its human-rights agency last week decried the deportations, with the UNHCR noting the two Chinese men were accepted as refugees, had official UN protection letters and were awaiting resettlement in Canada.
Thailand is not a member of the international convention obliging signatory states to respect the rights of people designated as refugees by the United Nations.
Gen Prawit said immigration police had arrested the two Chinese men for illegal entry and later issued them refugee cards because they did not know they were accused of human trafficking offences in China in addition to their anti- government activism.
The repatriation followed the law because the Chinese government requested it, Gen Prawit said.
He also said he discussed the matter with a UNHCR representative on Friday. The agency asked Thailand to check with it before repatriating any other foreigners in similar cases. Gen Prawit said he agreed with the request.
The US ambassador also said that Thailand should add its voice to calls for China to peacefully resolve conflicts over its appropriation of islands in the South China Sea claimed by other Asean countries. Thailand is not one of the claimants.
He said he also discussed with Gen Prawit human trafficking, democracy restoration and cooperation on terrorist threats.
Cooperation should involve both military affairs and intelligence as Thailand sits at the centre of the Asean region, Mr Davies said.
Finally, regarding the annual Cobra Gold joint military exercise, the ambassador said the 2016 war games again would be a small-scaled exercise and focus on disaster relief and humanitarian aid.