Songkhla migrants ‘Uighur’

Songkhla migrants ‘Uighur’

Songkhla: The nationality of more than 40% of the 218 suspected Muslim Uighurs detained in Songkhla last month have been verified as Muslim Uighurs from the Xinjiang region in China, Zhang Yiming, minister-counsellor at the Chinese embassy said.

He made the comment as he visited the detainees at the immigration office in Sadao district yesterday.

Mr Yiming revealed that Chinese authorities have verified that they are Muslim Uighurs from northwestern China.

He said Chinese authorities even know their home addresses, and the names of their parents.

The information obtained by Chinese officials has confirmed these migrants were smuggled in by a human trafficking gang involving both Chinese and Thais, Mr Yiming said.

He added that investigations are under way to find those behind the smuggling of the Muslim Uighurs.

Songkhla immigration office chief Pol Maj Gen Thatchai Pitaneelabutr said Thailand is trying to put in steps to verify the nationalities of all the migrants as quickly as possible.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT