45 Hmong repatriated to Laos

Writer: BangkokPost.com
Published: 18/08/2009 at 02:54 PM
Eleven families of 45 Hmong, who had illegally entered Thailand, were returned to Laos under a voluntary repatriation programme on Tuesday.

Seeing them off over the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Muang district of Nong Khai was Col Kamron Kruewichayacharn, director of the Thai-Lao Border Affairs Division, and officials of the Internal Security Operations Command and Khao Kho Civilian-Police-Military Task Force.

Each family was given a 15,000 baht provident allowance. So far 2,949 Hmong tribespeople have been sent back to Laos under a voluntary repatriation programme.

These Hmong tribespeople illegally entered Thailand in the hope of being sent to resettle in a third country. They had been confined at Huay Nam Khao village in Khao Kho district of Phetchabun province. The repatriation has been carried out following an agreement between Thailand and Laos.

Source