Thai court dismisses detention challenge by Chinese reporter

A Thai court ruled on Friday that a Chinese investigative journalist, Bai Zhaodong, can remain detained in Bangkok, dismissing his challenge against what he claimed was unlawful imprisonment. Bai, recognized as a UN refugee, arrived in Thailand from China in 2024 and was detained at a Bangkok immigration centre since January. Thai prosecutors arrested him under an extradition warrant issued by Beijing and transferred him to a remand prison on Thursday.

A hearing scheduled weeks earlier dismissed Bai's petition, with Bangkok South Criminal Court stating that detention is necessary due to the extradition request from China. Nadthasiri Bergman, Bai's lawyer, explained that because Thailand has an extradition request from China alleging Bai's involvement in extortion and bribery, the court deemed his continued detention unavoidable.

Bai was absent from the Friday proceedings but is scheduled to appear on January 25 in the extradition case. China's foreign ministry has labeled Bai a suspect in extortion and bribery, prompting Thailand to request his extradition. Rights organizations have expressed concerns that Bai's return to China could jeopardize his safety, as he has faced persecution for his work exposing government corruption over the past two decades.

While a third country has offered Bai asylum, Thailand's immigration authorities have repeatedly denied exit clearance, leading to the cancellation of his travel plans. Reporters Without Borders has labeled Thailand's treatment of Bai as "scandalous," and Human Rights Watch's deputy Asia director, Maya Wang, called the extradition move "deeply troubling."

Thailand should not yield to Beijing's pressure to extradite Bai based on fabricated charges, Wang emphasized. The Thai foreign ministry did not comment on the matter. Thailand is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention but is obligated by the international legal principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits sending individuals back to places where their lives or freedom are at risk.