本論文旨在評估泰國關於不遣返原則之國際法義務與國家實踐，並特別聚焦於泰國對羅興亞人與維吾爾難民及尋求庇護者之處遇。儘管泰國並非1951年《關於難民地位的公約》及其1967年《議定書》之締約國，本文主張，泰國未加入上述難民法體系並不免除其防止個人被遣返至嚴重傷害風險之義務。泰國仍受到相關國際人權法義務之拘束，尤其是《禁止酷刑和其他殘忍、不人道或有辱人格的待遇或處罰公約》以及《公民權利和政治權利國際公約》。此類義務禁止泰國將個人遣返、驅逐、引渡、移送或以其他方式送往其可能面臨酷刑、殘忍或不人道待遇、生命威脅或其他嚴重傷害真實風險之地。本文亦進一步探討不遣返原則作為習慣國際法原則之相關性，尤其是在個人可能被送返至面臨生命威脅酷刑、不當待遇或其他嚴重傷害風險之情形下。
本論文採取質性法釋義學研究方法，並輔以個案研究分析。本文首先檢視不遣返原則於包括國際難民法、國際人權法等國際法律框架下之內涵。其次，本文探討泰國國內法律與政策框架如何影響上述義務於實踐中的落實。本文主張，雖然泰國已發展出若干形式上的保護措施，但其制度框架仍高度依賴行政裁量，並深受移民管制與安全優先邏輯所形塑。
透過羅興亞人與維吾爾兩個案研究，本文指出泰國之國際法義務與國家實踐之間存在持續性落差。在羅興亞人個案中，泰國於海上推回及拒絕登岸之作法引發嚴重的不遣返疑慮，尤其是在相關個人可能於海上面臨可預見傷害或後續移送風險之情形下。在維吾爾個案中，泰國於2015年及2025年將維吾爾人遣返回中國之決定，則可能更直接引發違反不遣返原則之疑慮，特別是考量到維吾爾人在中國面臨酷刑及其他嚴重人權侵害風險已有充分紀錄。兩個個案皆顯示，泰國之國家實踐往往將保護義務置於移民執法、安全考量、區域責任迴避及外交利益之後。
本文結論指出，泰國法律框架或許在形式上部分符合不遣返原則，然而其國家實踐卻呈現實質上的不一致。在兩個案研究中，保護保障並未以一致且具預防性的方式加以適用，尤其是在個人已暴露於可預見風險，卻未能獲得充分保護需求評估之情況下。本文研究發現亦進一步指出，考慮到泰國東南亞地區難民移動與過境的重要場域，泰國某程度上扮演「難民樞紐」之角色，然而，泰國尚不能被稱為難民保護樞紐，因為取得保護之途徑仍然不確定、高度依賴裁量，並容易受到政治與安全考量之影響。最終，泰國在區域中的重要地位反而強化其一致遵守不遣返原則之必要性，尤其是在該原則作為防止個人被送返至酷刑、殘忍或不人道待遇、生命威脅及其他嚴重傷害風險之絕對保護時，更應如此。

This thesis assesses Thailand’s international legal obligations and state practice concerning the principle of non-refoulement, with particular focus on the treatment of the Rohingya and Uyghur refugees and asylum seekers. Although Thailand is not a party to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, this thesis argues that Thailand’s non-accession does not remove its obligation to prevent return to serious harm. Thailand remains bound by relevant obligations under international human rights law, especially the Convention against Torture and Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The thesis further considers the relevance of non-refoulement as a principle of customary international law, at least in relation to return to threats to life, torture, ill-treatment, and other serious harm.
The thesis adopts a qualitative doctrinal legal methodology, supplemented by case-study analysis. It first examines the international legal framework of non-refoulement including refugee law, and international human rights law. It then considers how Thailand’s domestic legal and policy framework affects the implementation of these obligations in practice. The thesis argues that, although Thailand has developed some formal protection measures, its framework remains discretionary and strongly shaped by immigration-control and security priorities.
Through the Rohingya and Uyghur case studies, the thesis shows a persistent gap between Thailand’s legal obligations and state practice. For the Rohingyas, Thailand’s maritime pushback and non-disembarkation raised serious non-refoulement concerns, especially where the persons concerned faced foreseeable harm at sea or possible onward return. In the Uyghur case, Thailand’s deportations to China in 2015 and 2025 presented a more direct form of refoulement, given well-documented risks of torture and other serious human rights violations faced by Uyghurs in China. Both cases demonstrate that Thailand’s practice has often subordinated protection obligations to immigration enforcement, security concerns, regional burden avoidance, and diplomatic interests.
The thesis concludes that Thailand’s legal framework may show partial formal compatibility with non-refoulement, but its state practice reveals substantive inconsistency. In both case studies, protection safeguards were not applied in a consistent and preventive manner, particularly where individuals were exposed to foreseeable risks without adequate assessment of their protection needs. The findings further suggest that Thailand’s role as a refugee hub should be understood in limited descriptive sense, as a central site movement and transit in Southeast Asia. It cannot yet be characterized as a refugee protection hub since access to protection remains uncertain, discretionary, and vulnerable to political and security considerations. Ultimately, Thailand’s regional importance strengthens the need for consistent compliance with non-refoulement, especially where the principle operates as an absolute protection against return to torture, cruel or inhuman treatment, threats to life, and other serious harm.

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Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2025, January 21). Thailand must immediately halt deportation of 48 Uyghurs to China: UN experts. https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/01/thailand-must-immediately-halt-deportation-48-uyghurs-china-un-experts
Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations. (2022). The OHCHR Assessment of Xinjiang Is A Perverse Product of the U.S. and Western Forces’ Coercive Diplomacy. https://un.china-mission.gov.cn/eng/hyyfy/202209/t20220902_10759404.
Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva. (2022). Chinese Mission Spokesperson Liu Yuyin’s Remarks on the So-Called Assessment of Human Rights Concerns in Xinjiang. https://geneva.china-mission.gov.cn/eng/ryrbt/202209/t20220901_10758786.
Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act B.E. 2565. (2022). Thailand. https://www.icj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Prevention-and-Suppression-of-Torture-and-Enforced-Disappearance-Act-B.E.-2565.pdf.
Public Relations Department of Thailand. (2025). Thailand’s Response to the Policy Announcement by the U.S. on 14 March. (2025). Prd.go.th. https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/48/iid/373255.
Public Relations Department of Thailand. (2025). Thai Delegation to Visit Uyghur Communities in Xinjiang Province of China. (2025). Prd.go.th. https://thailand.prd.go.th/en/content/category/detail/id/48/iid/373337.
Regulation of the Office of the Prime Minister on the Screening of Aliens who Enter into the Kingdom and are Unable to Return to the Country of Origin B.E. 2562. (2019). Thailand. https://www.refworld.org/legal/legislation/natlegbod/2019/123153.
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2015, July 9). No: 199, 9 July 2015, Press release regarding Thailand’s refoulement of Uyghur Turks.
Soering v. United Kingdom, App. No. 14038/88, European Court of Human Rights. (1989).
Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (2015). On the Return of Irregular Migrants to China –กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ. (2022). กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ. U.S. Mission Thailand.
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United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2007). Advisory Opinion on the Extraterritorial Application of Non-Refoulement Obligations under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2015). South-East Asia: Mixed maritime movements. https://www.unhcr.org/sites/default/files/legacy-pdf/554c6a746.pdf.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, International Organization for Migration, & Special Representative of the Secretary-General for International Migration and Development. (2015, May 19). Joint statement on Andaman Sea by IOM, UNHCR, OHCHR and the SRSG for Migration and Development.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2016). Submission by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ compilation report: Universal Periodic Review: Thailand. UNHCR.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2018). Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar (A/HRC/39/64). Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/HRBodies/HRCouncil/FFM-Myanmar/A_HRC_39_64.pdf.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2025). UNHCR condemns forced returns from Thailand. https://www.unhcr.org/news/press-releases/unhcr-condemns-forced-returns-thailand.
Miscellaneous
ABC News. (2015). Thailand Police Find More Graves At Second Migrant Jungle Camp. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-05/thai-police-find-graves-at-second-migrant-jungle-camp/6447228.
Amnesty International. (2017). Thailand: Hard Line on Refugees Leaves Thousands Vulnerable and At Risk. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2017/09/thailand-hard-line-on-refugees-leaves-thousands-vulnerable-and-at-risk.
BBC Thailand. (2024). Thailand and China to Waive Visa Requirements From March. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-67860366.
Clarke, M. (2015). Bangkok Bombing Spotlights Uyghur Woes in Southeast Asia. The Diplomat.
Davidson, H., & Ratcliffe, R. (2025, February 27). Thailand Deports Dozens of Uyghurs to China Despite Torture Fears. The Guardian; The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/27/thailand-deports-dozens-of-uyghurs-to-china-despite-torture-fears.
Human Rights Watch. (2000). Burmese Refugees in Bangladesh: Historical Background. https://www.hrw.org/reports/2000/burma/burm005-01.htm.
Human Rights Watch. (2012). Ad hoc and Inadequate: Thailand’s Treatment of Refugees and Asylum Seekers. https://www.hrw.org/report/2012/09/13/ad-hoc-and-inadequate/thailands-treatment-refugees-and-asylum-seekers.
Human Rights Watch. (2014, March 14). Thailand: Don’t Forcibly Return Uighurs to China. https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/03/14/thailand-dont-forcibly-return-uighurs-china.
Human Rights Watch. (2014, March 21). Thailand: More Uighurs Face Forced Return to China. https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/03/21/thailand-more-uighurs-face-forced-return-china.
Human Rights Watch. (2015). Southeast Asia: End Rohingya Boat Pushbacks. https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/05/14/southeast-asia-end-rohingya-boat-pushbacks.
Human Rights Watch. (2025, March 18). Thailand: Raise Uyghur Abuses in Xinjiang Visit. Human Rights Watch. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/03/18/thailand-raise-uyghur-abuses-xinjiang-visit.
Human Rights Watch. (2025). 10 Years of Rohingya Refugees Stranded At Sea. https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/05/26/10-years-rohingya-refugees-stranded-sea.
International Commission of Jurists. (2025). Thailand: Two Years into the Adoption of the Anti-Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, Justice For Victims and Survivors Remains Unattainable. International Commission of Jurists. https://www.icj.org/thailand-two-years-into-the-adoption-of-the-anti-torture-and-enforced-disappearance-act-justice-for-victims-and-survivors-remains-unattainable/.
International Commission of Jurists. (2025). Thailand: Deportation of Uyghur detainees to China exposes them to a real risk of grave human rights violations in violation of international and Thai law. https://www.icj.org/thailand-deportation-of-uyghur-detainees-to-china-exposes-them-to-a-real-risk-of-grave-human-rights-violations-in-violation-of-international-and-thai-law.
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Lefevre, A. S., & Pracha Hariraksapitak. (2015). Thailand, Under Fire, Says Rejected China Request to Deport All Uighur Muslims. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/thailand-under-fire-says-rejected-china-request-to-deport-all-uighur-muslims-idUSKCN0PK0CU/.
Nation Thailand. (2014, March 14). UN Help Sought to Protect Uighurs Found in Songkhla. Nationthailand; Panya Punpheog, Phuchis Piroo. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/30229286.
Reuters. (2013). Special Report: Thai Authorities Implicated in Rohingya Muslim Smuggling Network https://www.reuters.com/article/world/special-report-thai-authorities-implicated-in-rohingya-muslim-smuggling-network-idUSBRE96G026.
Reuters. (2014). Thai Police Rescue Hundreds of Rohingya… Suspected Traffickers’ Camp. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/thai-police-rescue-hundreds-of-rohingya-in-raid-on-suspected-traffickers-camp-idUSDEEA0Q09P.
Reuters. (2015, May 15). Asia’s New Boat People: Beaten, Abandoned and Pushed Back to Sea. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/asias-new-boat-people-beaten-abandoned-and-pushed-back-to-sea-idUSKBN0O00ST.
Reuters. (2015, May 16). Migrants in “maritime ping-pong” as Asian nations turn them back. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/migrants-in-maritime-ping-pong-as-asian-nations-turn-them-back-idUSKBN0O105H.
Reuters. (2015, May 18). No word on hundreds of Asian “boat people” pushed back to sea. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/no-word-on-hundreds-of-asian-boat-people-pushed-back-to-sea-idUSKBN0O31SH/.
Reuters. (2015, May 18). No Word on Hundreds of Asian “Boat People” Pushed Back To Sea. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/no-word-on-hundreds-of-asian-boat-people-pushed-back-to-sea-idUSKBN0O31SH/.
Reuters. (2015, September 15). Thai bomb revenge for trafficking crackdown, not Uighur expulsion: police. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/thai-bomb-revenge-for-trafficking-crackdown-not-uighur-expulsion-police-idUSKCN0RF158/.
Reuters. (2016, November 15). Bangkok bomb trial of Chinese Uighurs begins after delays. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/bangkok-bomb-trial-of-chinese-uighurs-begins-after-delays-idUSKBN13A0FU/.
Reuters. (2024, November 16). Thailand detains 70 migrants believed to be Rohingya from Myanmar. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-detains-70-illegal-migrants-believed-be-rohingya-myanmar-2024-11-16.
Reuters. (2025, January 22). UN experts urge Thailand not to deport 48 Uyghurs to China. https://www.reuters.com/world/china/un-experts-urge-thailand-not-deport-48-uyghurs-china-2025-01-22.
Reuters. (2025, March 3). Thailand acted in accordance with human rights when deporting 40 Uyghurs to China, says PM. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-acted-accordance-with-human-rights-when-deporting-40-uyghurs-china-says-2025-03-03/.
Reuters. (2025, February 27). Thailand sends 40 Uyghurs back to China after decade in detention. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-pm-says-human-rights-principles-must-be-followed-amid-concern-over-fate-2025-02-27.
Reuters. (2025, February 27). Thai PM says human rights must be followed, amid concern over fate of Uyghurs. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-pm-says-human-rights-principles-must-be-followed-amid-concern-over-fate-2025-02-2.
Reuters. (2025, March 5). Canada and US offered Uyghurs in Thailand asylum before deportation to China, sources say. https://www.reuters.com/world/canada-us-offered-uyghurs-thailand-asylum-before-deportation-china-sources-say-2025-03-05.
Reuters. (2025, March 18). Thailand delegation headed to China to inspect returned Uyghurs. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-delegation-headed-china-inspect-returned-uyghurs-2025-03-18.
Reuters. (2025, November 11). Malaysia, Thailand resume search for missing Rohingya after deadly boat sinking. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysia-thailand-resume-search-missing-rohingya-after-deadly-boat-sinking-2025-11-11.
Severson, A. (2020). Thailand’s Changing of the Guard: Negotiating the Transition from UNHCR Refugee Status Determination to A National Refugee Screening Mechanism. Refugee Law Initiative Blog.
Xinhua News. (2025). 40 Chinese Nationals Repatriated From Thailand in Joint Crackdown on Illegal Immigration. (2025). News.cn. https://english.news.cn/20250227/764235447dae4b06b67b64645373aa18/c.html.