Members of exiled Chinese church detained in Thailand

BANGKOK: More than 60 self-exiled members of a Chinese Christian church who were detained in Thailand paid fines for overstaying their visas, but remained in police custody on Saturday, uncertain about their legal status amid fears they would be deported against their will to their home country, where they face possible persecution.

The 63 members of the Shenzhen Holy Reformed Church were taken to court on Friday in the resort city of Pattaya after being detained a day earlier by Thai immigration authorities. The 32 members of the group considered to be adults were charged with overstaying their visas, said Col. Tawee Kutthalaeng, chief of the Pattaya-area Nong Prue police station.