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Thai Immigration Police Chief Surachate Hakparn during a press conference on the plight of the young Saudi woman on January 9, 2019. Reuters

Thailand was until now very strict in its migration policy and did not hesitate to dismiss the exiled, even those who said they were threatened.

From now on, Thailand will " follow international standards ," the recently appointed Migration Policy Officer assured at a press conference. Surachate Hakparn ensures that refugees will no longer be returned to their countries against their will.

This announcement marks a turning point in the country. So far, Bangkok has been implementing a draconian migration policy: Thailand, which has not signed the UN Refugee Convention, systematically refused to grant asylum to people in danger and did not hesitate to expel them.

But the case of Rahaf Mohammed al-Qunun seems to have awakened consciences. This young woman barricaded herself in her hotel room at Bangkok airport to avoid being sent back to Saudi Arabia. This young woman finally got asylum in Canada. An embarrassing affair for Thailand.

Will the announcement of reforms be followed up? Doubt is allowed. It all depends on how Thailand will handle the case of Bahraini footballer Hakeem Alaraibi. Australia granted him asylum, but last November he was arrested in Bangkok and is now facing deportation to Bahrain, where he says he fears torture.