The US and Japanese embassies in Bangkok issued security alerts for their citizens in Thailand on Friday, a day after the Thai government secretly and controversially deported 40 Uyghurs back to China.
On February 27, the Thai government deported a group of 45 Uyghur asylum seekers to China, said the US Embassy in a statement, adding the security alert applies throughout Thailand.
"Similar deportations have prompted violent retaliatory attacks in the past," according to the alert posted on the US Embassy’s website.
Most notably, following a 2015 deportation of Uyghurs from Thailand, an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated at the Erawan Shrine in Bangkok, killing 20 people and injuring 125 others.
The shrine is often crowded with tourists from China, the US embassy stated.
The US Mission in Thailand has advised US citizens to:
· Exercise increased caution and vigilance, especially in crowded locations frequented by tourists, due to the potential for greater collateral risk.
· Review personal security plans.
· Follow the instructions of local authorities.
The Japanese Embassy has also issued a warning to its nationals. In 2015, Japanese nationals were among the 20 killed and 125 injured in the Erawan Shrine attack.
Two ethnic Uyghur men were arrested in connection with the incident. Their trial has seen repeated delays but is ongoing.
In its email, the Japanese Embassy in Thailand stressed that this does not, however, indicate a change in its risk assessment of Thailand.
Japanese residents and tourists have been advised to exercise caution, especially in crowded areas, such as tourist attractions, at event venues, in restaurants, hotels, shopping malls, on public transportation and at religious sites, which could all be potential targets.
Held in Thailand for a decade, the 40 Uyghurs were sent back to China in a pre-dawn operation on Thursday, over the objections of the international community and human rights organisations, which warned they would be at risk of torture, ill-treatment and "irreparable harm" if repatriated.
China has rejected allegations of abuse against Uyghurs and described them as “groundless lies” on Friday.
