Thai officials have defended their deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China despite warnings the ethnic minorities may possibly face torture or death. The country's unelected government, under the influence of convicted swindler and Sinophile Thaksin Shinawatra,

Thailand acted in accordance with human rights when it sent 40 Uyghurs back to China last week, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra told reporters on Monday.

The secret deportation by Thailand of dozens of Uyghur men to China that has sparked international condemnation is a diplomatic win for Beijing and a snub to the United States and the United Nations,