Thailand begins deportation of more than 4,000 Hmong asylum seekers

Soldiers kept journalists, UN refugee agency officials and human rights groups more than six miles away from the Huay Nam Khao refugee camp in Thailand's north as the government used nearly 5,000 troops to remove the 4,506 Hmong who are seeking refugee status.

Photo courtesy of the Royal Thai Army

The Hmong people say they will face government persecution back in Laos, as they have for generations, dating back to when they fought alongside US troops during the Vietnam war.

But the Lao government has denied they will face retribution, and the Thai government argues that the majority of the group are illegal economic refugees.

The US has said it is "deeply dismayed" by the forced deportations, in a statement describing the Thai government's action as "a serious violation of international humanitarian principles". The UN high commissioner for refugees, António Guterres, said the expulsions "set a very grave international example".

The operation to remove the Hmong began at 5.30am, when troops armed with batons and shields moved into the camp.

Colonel Thana Charuyat, who co-ordinated the repatriation, said the troops did not carry guns or teargas out of concern for the safety of the women and children. He said the operation to clear the camp of all asylum seekers had progressed without incident.

About 300 Hmong initially refused to leave the camp, including several family and community leaders, but they agreed to end their resistance after several hours of negotiations.

"They will be transported from the camp to the army camp in Lom Sak district before moving to immigration in Nong Khai [on the Thai-Laos border] and going to Laos," Thana said.

The army expected to complete clearing the camp overnight.