CNHRA EVENT RECORD · CNHRA-E-975035
Pan Yongguang and the Mayflower Church: departure, Thai detention and U.S. resettlement
Date
2019
Location
Jeju Island, South Korea; Pattaya, Thailand; Texas, U.S.
Event Type
Travel Restriction · Detention · Release · Other
Human Rights Issues
Freedom of Religion or Belief · Right to Liberty and Security
Record ID
CNHRA-E-975035
Summary
ChinaAid records the church’s departure for Jeju, South Korea, in late 2019 and subsequent move to Thailand while awaiting refugee procedures. The organization assisted with resettlement and documents the members’ 2023 arrival in the United States and later move to the Midland–Odessa area.[1]
Description
ChinaAid records the church’s departure for Jeju, South Korea, in late 2019 and subsequent move to Thailand while awaiting refugee procedures. The organization assisted with resettlement and documents the members’ 2023 arrival in the United States and later move to the Midland–Odessa area.[1]
Thai authorities detained church members and relatives in Pattaya on March 30, 2023 for overstaying visas and transferred them to immigration detention. ChinaAid reports that, following U.S. government intervention, most families reached Texas on Good Friday that year.[1]
On May 26, 2023, the final family of five, whose journey had been delayed by a pregnancy, arrived in Dallas and reunited with the church. Members moved from Tyler to Midland–Odessa in late December; from 2024, First Baptist Church Midland provided worship space.[1]
Developments
Leads members out of China
ChinaAid records Pan leading members and relatives to Jeju in late 2019. The church continued seeking asylum and subsequently moved to Thailand.[1]
Members detained in Thailand
Thai authorities detained members and relatives in Pattaya for overstaying visas and placed them in immigration detention. Aid organizations subsequently coordinated their resettlement in the United States.[1]
Most families arrive in Texas
ChinaAid records most families arriving in Texas on Good Friday 2023 to begin resettlement. One family’s journey was delayed because of a pregnancy nearing term.[1]
Final family arrives and reunites
The final family of five arrived in Dallas and reunited with fellow members. ChinaAid subsequently updated the church’s housing, employment and language-learning circumstances.[1]
Move to Midland–Odessa
Members left Tyler in late December for long-term homes in Midland–Odessa. First Baptist Church Midland began providing worship space in 2024.[1]
Related People
Organizations
No organizations have been added.
Documents
No documents have been added to this record yet.
Sources
- [1]
CNHRA-S-403168ChinaAid
Evidence location: Background, From South Korea to Thailand and Building A Home: migration, Thai detention, 2023 arrival and 2024 worship arrangements.