Robertson, who met Od shortly before his disappearance, said previous examples had been confined to remote provinces or border areas. That it took place in Bangkok was particularly chilling, he said. "That should give everyone pause."
The successful cases include footballer Hakeem al-Araibi’s return to Melbourne and Saudi teen Rahaf al-Qunun’s safe passage to Canada, both after international outcry. They are, however, the exception. Since the 2014 coup, Thailand has sent 109 Uighurs back to China and a further 52 have languished in detention for about five years, while Gulenists have been refouled to Turkey and others to repressive regimes in the Middle East.
Human rights advocates believe Thailand, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, is helping Cambodia's strongman Hun Sen persecute his opponents.As the wife of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit – who was last seen dragged from his car on March 12, 2004 – Angkhana understands both the pain family members endure and the official pressure they come under to stay silent.