Thai court rejects Bai Zhaodong's detention objection, extradition hearing to be held in January next year

(Central News Agency reporter Li Zongxian, Bangkok, 10th) The Bangkok Southern Criminal Court rejected the objection to the detention of Chinese journalist Bai Zhaodong on the 9th. The court held that the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering a request for extradition of Bai Zhaodong, which constitutes a reasonable reason to continue to detain him. Bai Zhaodong has been detained since January. The Thai authorities launched Bai Zhaodong's extradition process on the 8th. The extradition hearing is expected to be held on January 25 next year.

Thailand's independent media "Thai People" (Prachatai) reported today that according to immigration laws, authorities can continue to detain people waiting to leave the country to other countries if necessary. Bai Zhaodong's lawyer argued that the third country has approved the reception and resettlement of Bai Zhaodong, and the reason for the immigration bureau to continue to detain him may no longer exist.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) pointed out that 56-year-old Bai Zhaodong had exposed government corruption in China for 20 years and left China in 2023 to escape "increasing persecution by the country." The United Nations has recognized Bai Zhaodong as a refugee. He arrived in Thailand in 2024 and has been detained since January 2026.

Previously, Bai Zhaodong had filed an objection to his detention by the Thai immigration authorities. When the court ruled on the matter on the 9th, Bai Zhaodong did not appear in court. He is expected to attend an extradition hearing on January 25, 2027.

Reporters Without Borders believes that Bai Zhaodong's life may be in danger if he is deported to China. The Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) issued a statement in July stating that Bai Zhaodong was a former investigative reporter for the "Finance" magazine. He left China in 2023 and was issued an arrest warrant by the Chinese authorities in 2024 on suspicion of "extortion."

FCCT calls on the Thai government not to deport detained Chinese investigative journalist Bai Zhaodong back to China and to disclose his detention situation. It also points out that Bai Zhaodong is wanted for exposing Chinese official corruption cases. If he is deported, he may face arbitrary detention, torture and other political persecution.