Thailand begins extradition proceedings against Chinese journalist Bai Zhaodong

Thai authorities began extradition proceedings on Thursday (8 October) against Chinese investigative journalist Bai Zhaodong, 56, wanted by Beijing and detained for months in Thailand, his lawyer Nadthasiri Bergman and attorney-general’s office spokesman Prayuth Pecharakun told AFP (https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3333630/thailand-begins-extradition-process-against-chinese-journalist?view_comment=1). “The prosecutor is bringing a case against him at court now. It is the beginning of the extradition hearing process,” Pecharakun said, adding the process could take months (https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3333630/thailand-begins-extradition-process-against-chinese-journalist?view_comment=1).

Bai, a former Caijing magazine reporter who exposed Chinese official corruption for two decades, left in 2023 to escape “mounting persecution from the state”, according to Reporters Without Borders (https://www.thaipbsworld.com/world/563035; https://www.fccthai.com/news/fcct-statement-on-the-detention-of-chinese-journalist-bai-zhaodong). A UN-recognised refugee, he arrived in Thailand in 2024 and has been held at Bangkok’s Suan Phlu detention centre since 21 January, per the Southeast Asia Legal Defense Initiative (https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3333630/thailand-begins-extradition-process-against-chinese-journalist?view_comment=1). Beijing alleges extortion and bribery — charges rights groups call politically motivated (https://www.fccthai.com/news/fcct-statement-on-the-detention-of-chinese-journalist-bai-zhaodong). RSF says a third country has offered him asylum, but Thai authorities twice cancelled his flights and extended his detention (https://www.thaipbsworld.com/world/563035).

Arrested on Thursday morning and brought before Bangkok’s Criminal Court, Bai confirmed he would fight extradition; two Chinese embassy officials were present with an interpreter, and the next hearing — to examine the evidence — is set for 25 January (https://www.ucanews.com/news/thailand-opens-extradition-process-for-reporter-sought-by-china/115699). The unannounced hearing came the day before an expected ruling on his detention challenge; RSF’s Aleksandra Bielakowska called it “scandalous”, showing “how eager the Thai authorities are to bow to Beijing’s demands” (https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3333630/thailand-begins-extradition-process-against-chinese-journalist?view_comment=1). RSF believes his life could be at risk if he is returned to China and calls on Bangkok to halt his deportation (https://www.ucanews.com/news/thailand-opens-extradition-process-for-reporter-sought-by-china/115699).