Thailand PM Shinawatra begins trip to China

The Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra begins her trip to China today

Shinawatra will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, among other leaders, to discuss key topics such as tourism, online scamming, and air pollution. Chinese travelers are key to Thailand’s tourism industry and Shinawatra aims to reassure tourists following recent safety concerns, such as the kidnapping of a Chinese actor in January. Shinawatra’s trip also reinforces the growing economic ties between the two countries, which includes major projects like the Thailand-China railway. However, this meeting has drawn concern from human rights groups, who fear that China will pressure Thailand to repatriate 48 Uyghur men who have been in Thai custody for over a decade.

In the future, Thailand will likely continue to nurture its cultural and economic relationship with China while maintaining a balance with the United States, its key security partner. In the case of the Uyghur detainees Thailand has said it has no plans to deport the men. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said he would lobby Thailand to not release the prisoners, making deportation of the men to China unlikely. While the US and China both vie for influence in Thailand, the Thai will likely remain committed to their balancing act—reaping the benefits of both relationships while being wary of over-dependence on either power.