BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand should be commended for its handling of its return of 40 Uyghur Muslims to China, a deputy premier said on Friday, as his country endured a torrent of international condemnation over its secretive deportation.

The United States embassy in Bangkok on Friday issued a security alert for its citizens in Thailand, a day after the secretive deportation of 40 Uyghurs to China that has drawn international condemnation.

The secret deportation by Thailand of dozens of Uyghur men to China that has sparked international condemnation is a diplomatic win for Beijing and a snub to the United States and the United Nations,

The US condemned "in the strongest possible terms" Thailand's return of 40 Uygur men to China on Thursday and called for Beijing to provide regular access to verify their well-being. "As Thailand's long-standing ally,

The foreign ministry voiced regret Saturday over Thailand's recent deportation of dozens of Uyghurs to China. Thai and Chinese officials said Thursday that 40 Uyghurs detained in Thailand for over a decade had been deported to China,

China will take ‘good care’ of Uighurs, Thailand said after deporting them. This comes as 40 Uighur asylum seekers were repatriated to China after 10 years. China has a history of subjecting Uighurs to torture through confinement,