A Uyghur man, repatriated from a Bangkok detention centre about a decade ago, told a visiting Thai delegation, being led by Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, that he now owns 52 cows, two goats and earns 5,400 Yuan per month (Bt25,143).
The man also said he is now the father of a one-month-old son and owns a house, sponsored by the government.
He claimed that he was young when he was convinced to leave Xinjiang in search of a better future but, after being arrested in Thailand and repatriated in 2015, he has since built a better life.
The conversation was conducted via video call.
When asked by Phumtham if he had a message for the Thai people, the man said, "Everything here is normal. Do not worry."
Phumtham led a fact-finding delegation to Xinjiang, accompanied by a select group of journalists, at the invitation of the Chinese government.
The intent is to meet Uyghurs who have been repatriated by Thailand and to verify that they are not being mistreated by Chinese officials, as feared by some Western governments and international human rights groups.
The visit was initially set to focus on the 40 Uyghurs deported late last month, but was later expanded to include those deported previously.
The decision to repatriate drew harsh criticism and Washington has issued a travel ban on Thai officials involved in the deportations.
The Thai delegation was informed that the returnees have returned to live with their families.
In Xinjiang, the delegation was divided into two groups on Wednesday, each visiting returnees separately. The groups visited the Uyghurs at their homes, accompanied by Chinese officials. The two ministers and the press delegation also visited a mosque, to meet Muslim religious leaders.
Phumtham, accompanied by Justice Minister Tawee Sodsong, is scheduled to return to Thailand tonight.
Meanwhile, People’s Party deputy leader Rangsiman Rome said in Bangkok that Phumtham’s trip is meaningless, arguing that the experience in Xinjiang was probably staged by the Chinese government.
The media accompanying the ministers had no freedom to ask questions or conduct separate interviews.
Rangsiman also reiterated his criticism of the latest deportation of Uyghurs, saying that Thailand has attracted nothing but protests from other countries.
As a result of the decision, Thailand will face pressure from other nations that uphold human rights, he said.
