US embassy cable - 05BANGKOK6001

UNCLAS BANGKOK 006001 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
GENEVA FOR RMA, DEPT FOR PRM 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREF, PREL, TH, Hmong, Refugee 
SUBJECT: THAI NOT DEPORTING PETCHABOON HMONG, YET 
 
REF: BANGKOK 005146 
 
1. (SBU) Summary.  Contrary to rumors circulating among NGOs, 
the RTG is not currently deporting the nearly six thousand 
ethnic Hmong living in Petchaboon province.  The RTG is 
cooperating with UNHCR's efforts to determine which Hmong may 
qualify as refugees and for resettlement, but clearly plans 
to deport the majority after UNHCR is finished.  Post has 
conveyed our concerns about the situation to both senior and 
working-level Thai officials, who have said that deportation 
is not imminent and that a number of the Hmong are willing to 
return to Laos now that they realize there is no US 
resettlement program.  End Summary. 
 
 
NEWSPAPER ARTICLE STIRS RUMOR POT 
--------------------------------- 
 
2. (SBU) An article in the English-language daily Bangkok 
Post on 15 September ignited a new round of rumors that the 
RTG plans to forcibly deport the nearly six thousand Hmong 
encamped in Petchaboon province (see Ref for background on 
this group).  The Post reported that the RTG had approved a 
budget for repatriating the Hmong, and that the Petchaboon 
Governor was "awaiting the order" to commence the 
deportation.  This article coincided with rumors that Thai 
police and/or military were already moving to push the Hmong 
towards the Thai/Lao border and reports that several Thai of 
Hmong ethnicity had been arrested (Note, in a sign of either 
efficient-as-usual Thai bureaucracy or artful denial, the 
governor's office plead ignorance of the article and 
requested that we fax them a copy. End Note). 
 
 
UNHCR MOVING AHEAD WITH INTERVIEWS 
---------------------------------- 
 
3. (SBU) Acting Refcoord contacted Deputy UNHCR 
Representative Raja Panday on 15 September to discuss the 
Hmong situation.  Panday stated that he had seen the Bangkok 
Post article and was likewise concerned about the plight of 
the Hmong, but had not heard any other solid information on 
possible RTG deportation plans. UNHCR has been working with 
the RTG to determine which Hmong may have legitimate refugee 
claims and plans to send interview teams to Petchaboon in the 
next several days.  Panday agreed to keep us informed of 
their findings. 
 
 
CONVEYING OUR CONCERN TO THE RTG 
-------------------------------- 
 
4. (SBU) Charge d'Affaires spoke with NSC Deputy Secretary 
General Prakit Prachonpachanuk on 15 September to convey our 
concern and to urge the RTG to maintain its dialogue with 
UNHCR on the issue.  Prakit replied that he understands our 
concern and that the NSC continues to discuss the Hmong 
situation.  The Charge asked that RTG keep us apprised of key 
developments. 
 
5. (SBU) In a separate conversation 16 September, acting 
Refcoord spoke with a working-level NSC contact, who 
emphasized that a key dynamic in any decision will be 
ensuring the safety of the Hmong involved.  According to this 
official, a number of Hmong had been misled by "some people" 
claiming that either the RTG was willing to allow them to 
settle in Thailand, or that the USG was planning a new 
repatriation program.  Now that both rumors have proven 
false, a sizable number of Hmong are willing to return to 
Laos but "want us (the Thai) to do it." 
 
6. (SBU) That said, according to this contact, a large group 
of Hmong refuse to return, and the RTG will have to apply 
applicable immigration laws.  When pressed on the modalities 
of enforcing these laws, this official said that the RTG will 
have to "wait for awhile" before moving forward, but pledged 
to keep Post informed of any planned deportation. 
 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
7. (SBU)  The RTG repatriation/deportation of the Hmong 
appears inevitable at some point in the future but is on hold 
for the time being.  We will continue to seek a better 
understanding of the situation on the ground and press our 
government contacts to ensure they cooperate with UNHCR and 
handle this situation in a humane manner. 
ARVIZU