The U-S embassy in Bangkok on Thursday announced it is beginning a resettlement program for an estimated 15 thousand ethnic Hmong refugees. They had fled to Thailand following the communist takeover in Laos in 1975.
U-S Ambassador Darryl Johnson traveled to the Tham Krabok temple, 90 kilometers north of Bangkok, to discuss the program with senior Thai officials and leaders of the Hmong community at the temple.
An embassy statement says any Hmong living at the temple who was registered with the Thai government as of August will be eligible for the program. Registration for resettlement will begin in February and will be open for a limited time.