Huay Nam Khao marketplace

Thailand's Supreme Commander says the Hmong refugees currently living in Ban Huay Nam Khao will be sent back to Laos because no third countries have offered to take them.

Thai authorities are presently gathering personal records of the 7,700 Hmongs at Ban Huay Nam Khao to submit to Lao authorities. They expect it to take two months after which the refugees would be deported to Laos.

Lao and Thai officials consider the issue of these refugees an

Huay Nam Khao shops

immigration one, saying the refugees entered Thailand illegally.

Laos Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh says the refugees were deceived and tricked into fleeing Laos with the hope of resettlement in third countries, and some of them were victims of human trafficking.

Listen to our Laos Today report for more details in Lao.