Hong Kong student activist detained at Bangkok airport
Hong Kong student activist Joshua Wong was detained in Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport, forbidden from entering the Kingdom, and would be sent home on the next flight.
Wong, 20, reportedly arrived at the airport late Tuesday night but did not pass the immigration as restricted by a letter from the Chinese government.
The activist came to Thailand to give a talk in a symposium at Chulalongkorn University on Thursday to mark the 40th anniversary of the October 6 massacre.
The symposium is organised by political science students led by prominent student activist Netiwit Chotiphaisal.
Netiwit wrote on his Facebook that the Hong Kong activist reportedly had been detained and was forced to board the next flight home.
Netiwit cited an authority as saying, “[Wong could not enter the Kingdom as] there is a note from the Chinese government regarding this person.”
As of 5 am Wednesday, Netiwit said he still could not reach Wong.
He called on the Thai government to promise Wong’s safety and his safe return to Hong Kong.
Wong’s political party Demosistō in Hong Kong issued a statement condemning the Thai government for unreasonably limiting Wong’s freedom and right to entry, and requesting the immediate release of the activist.
The student activist led a massive Occupy protest in 2014 that demanded genuine universal suffrage in Hong Kong.
Very influential in the pro-democracy movement at home, Wong was named as one of TIME's Most Influential Teens of 2014 and listed by Fortune as one of the world's greatest leaders in 2015.
The Thai authorities have not yet confirmed the detention of the activist.