Thailand’s Prime Minister says all Hmong refugees in Ban Huay Nam Khao will be repatriated with no exception. The Prime Minister made his comment on Monday despite appeals by U.S. lawmakers to the King of Thailand.
Mr. Surayud Chulanont also said that Thailand will ask representatives of a third country or an international organization to monitor the repatriation and the resettlement in Laos to ensure that the rights of Hmong refugees are protected.
It is not clear, however, what action Thai authorities will take regarding the Hmong refugees who were former residents of Wat Thamkrabok in Thailand's Sarabury province. These Hmongs had fled Wat Thamkrabok before it was closed down, fearing they'd be sent back to Laos. They had come back to join their fellow Hmongs in Ban Huay Nam Khao, hoping to be resettled in a third country.
Listen to our Laos Today report for more details.
