Kashgar: Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Thailand, along with Police Colonel Thawee Sodsong, Minister of Justice, have arrived in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China to engage with the Uyghur community and local leaders in a day full of scheduled meetings and visits.

According to Thai News Agency, the delegation, accompanied by government executives and media representatives, landed at Kashi Airport at 9:40 a.m. local time. They were received by Mr. Chu Datong, Deputy Minister of Public Security. The first order of the day involved discussions with Mr. Qi Yanjun, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Minister of Public Security, focusing on the handling of 40 Uyghurs repatriated on February 27.

In the afternoon, the Thai delegation is set to divide into two groups. Mr. Phumtham will lead one group, while Pol. Col. Thawee will lead the other. Each group will make separate visits to the private residences of Uyghurs located 100-300 kilometers from the city of Kashgar, accompanied by Chinese ministerial-level representatives.

The delegation will further engage with local communities by visiting villages and the Idgah Mosque, where discussions with Islamic religious leaders are planned. Evening meetings will include consultations with doctors treating Uyghurs and a video conference with Uyghur representatives.

At 8:00 p.m., discussions with Mr. Ma Xingrui, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and Secretary of the Communist Party of Xinjiang, are scheduled, followed by a reception at the Kasi Hotel. The day’s activities will conclude with a visit to the cultural sites of the ancient city of Kashgar.