Thai immigration officer confirms Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong blacklisted at China’s request

In Facebook post right after returning to city, Wong describes incident as ‘really scary’, saying he had passport confiscated and communication with outside world cut off

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Nathan Law Kwun-chung (centre) and other Demosisto members protesting outside the Thai consulate in Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Tsang

Elizabeth Cheung,Raquel CarvalhoandStuart Lau

Published: 8:15am, 5 Oct 2016Updated: 1:07pm, 18 Aug 2017

A deputy commander at Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi Airport immigration office confirmed on Wednesday that immigration police had blacklisted Hong Kong student activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung as requested by China.

The former Occupy movement leader was stopped at the airport when he attempted to visit Chulalongkorn University, a top Thai institution, to speak at an event. He was later put on a plane back to Hong Kong, a source told the Post.

Pol Col Pruthipong Prayoonsiri said China sent a request to the Thai government to seek its cooperation in denying Wong entry to the kingdom, Thai newspaper The Nation reported.

“As a result, the Immigration Bureau blacklisted him and held him for deportation. When officers informed him, Joshua Wong did not oppose it,” Pruthipong said.

Watch: Wong’s return to Hong Kong after Thailand detention

China’s foreign ministry broke its silence on the incident shortly after Thai media reports alleged that China asked Thailand not to allow Wong’s entry.

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