CrCF Submits Open Letter Prime Minister Regarding Extradition of Vietnamese Refugee “Y Quynh Bdap”
(27 November 2025) — The Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF) has submitted an open letter to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul regarding the planned deportation of Mr. Y Quynh Bdap, a Vietnamese refugee and activist for religious freedom. CrCF urged the Prime Minister to halt the extradition, warning that sending Mr. Bdap back to face danger could violate Section 13 of the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act B.E. 2565 (2022), as well as key human rights principles and international customary norms.
On the same day, Mr. Bdap’s legal representative submitted a letter to the Prime Minister requesting that the government comply with Thailand’s Anti-Torture Act, international law, and international covenants. The letter also called for a suspension of the extradition to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and for Mr. Bdap to be allowed to seek asylum in a third country.
This case follows the Court of Appeal’s decision on 26 November 2025, which upheld the lower court ruling allowing the extradition of Mr. Bdap back to Vietnam.
Section 22 of the Extradition Act B.E. 2551 (2008) states that once a final court order approving extradition is issued and the Thai government agrees to proceed, the extradition process may begin. If the government does not approve the extradition within 90 days, under Section 20, the individual must be released. Moreover, the Ministerial Regulation of the Ministry of Justice B.E. 2553 (2010) states in Clause 7 (2), final paragraph: “In cases where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is of the opinion that the said request may affect international relations or there are other reasons why the request cannot be fulfilled, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall promptly submit that opinion along with the request for extradition to the Cabinet for consideration.”
Therefore, the Prime Minister, who has direct executive authority, can halt the extradition of Mr. Bdap to uphold the rule of law, preserve Thailand’s international reputation, and respect the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning refugees to situations where they may face danger. This is a universal principle strictly upheld by civilized nations. Reciprocity between states cannot be allowed to justify transnational repression, which is strictly prohibited. Should the Thai government decide not to extradite Mr. Bdap, Thailand would regain international trust regarding its human rights commitments.
Y Quynh Bdap, a 32-year-old Vietnamese national, is a religious freedom activist who has played a leading role in advocating for the rights of ethnic groups to religious freedom. He was charged with terrorism by the Vietnamese government in connection with the 2023 Dak Lak riots, even though he denies any involvement in the incident and claims his rights advocacy was peaceful and non-violent.
Mr. Bdap sought refuge in Thailand in 2018 and was granted refugee status and international protection by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). However, on June 11, 2024, Mr. Bdap was arrested by Immigration Police, citing an extradition request, after a Vietnamese court convicted him of terrorism in relation to the 2023 Dak Lak incident.
The case has drawn sustained international attention, and it is widely regarded as a test of whether Thailand will act in a manner consistent with both international and domestic law, critical considerations given Thailand’s declared commitments on the world stage and its role as a member of the United Nations Security Council.
The Thai government has the authority to cease Mr. Bdap’s extradition and allow him to seek asylum in a third country, ensuring that he is not subjected to torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, enforced disappearance, or the death penalty.
