Asia

Thai exile's parents seek information on his disappearance

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Kanya Theerawut, mother of Siam Theerawut, talks to reporters outside Vietnam Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 13, 2019. Siam is one of three self-exiled Thai activists who seem to have disappeared after they were reportedly arrested by Vietnamese authorities earlier this year. The three men, Chucheep Chivasut, Siam Theerawut, and Kritsana Thapthai, have been accused by Thai authorities of insulting the country's monarchy including by operating an online anti-monarchy radio programs and mobilizing support for anti-monarchy campaigns. (AP photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thai activists and Kanya Theerawut, second right, mother of Siam Theerawut, hold the portraits of Siam Theerawut outside Vietnam Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, May 13, 2019. Siam is one of three self-exiled Thai activists who seem to have disappeared after they were reportedly arrested by Vietnamese authorities earlier this year. The three men, Chucheep Chivasut, Siam Theerawut, and Kritsana Thapthai, have been accused by Thai authorities of insulting the country's monarchy including by operating an online anti-monarchy radio programs and mobilizing support for anti-monarchy campaigns. (AP photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The parents of a self-exiled Thai activist who disappeared after reportedly being extradited from Vietnam have visited government offices and diplomatic missions to seek information about his fate.

Siam Theerawut is one of three exiles that human rights groups are expressing concern about because neither Thai nor Vietnamese authorities acknowledge holding them.

All three fled Thailand after a May 2014 military coup to neighboring Laos, where they continued political activities critical of their homeland. Thai authorities have been seeking their return on charges of insulting the monarchy.

After several fellow Thai activists in Laos were abducted and killed earlier this year, the three are believed to have moved to Vietnam.

Siam's parents presented letters Monday to Thailand's National Human Rights Commission, the Vietnamese Embassy and the European Commission's office.