The Lao government had already informed Thailand it was ready to take the Hmong back if they were really Lao nationals, new Lao ambassador to Thailand Ouan Phommachack said.

"We need to make their identity clear, as there are plenty of Hmong in this region, not only in Laos but also Thailand, Vietnam, southern China and Burma," the ambassador said in an interview.

"If we got details of their identity, we could cross-check with their places of origin and if we get confirmation that they are really from Laos - we will take them back on a voluntary basis," he said.

Most of 7,000-plus Hmong in Ban Huay Nam Kho claim they were tied to the United States Central Intelligence Agency's "secret war" against the communists during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and 70s - and fled to Thailand to avoid suppression in Laos.

They gathered in Phetchabun with the hope of settling in third countries - notably the US - where hundreds of thousands have moved to since the fall of Vientiane in 1975.

A recent survey conducted by Thai Third Army Region found that the Hmong in Huay Nam Khao were rapidly increasingly in number because of new arrivals and a high birth-rate.

But many Hmong at the site have been reluctant to co-operate with the survey or provide personal background details as they fear forced repatriation and punishment in Laos.

Ambassador Ouan said his government ruled the country by law and saw no grounds to punish the Hmong who return.

"We know some of them came here to seek better lives in the US. That's fine, if they don't want to return Laos and have a chance to settle in the US. But for those who want return home, the government welcomes them," he said.

Vientiane had taken 53 Hmong deported from Thailand two weeks ago and they were perfectly safe, the ambassador said.

However, the London-based Amnesty International issued a statement on Monday expressing concern about the well-being of the 53 sent back from Nong Khai.

AI believes the group could be in danger of serious human rights violations, including torture, ill-treatment and arbitrary detention inside Laos.

Ouan rejected this, saying Laos was civilised enough to provide proper treatment to its citizens.

"Laos is also under the eye of the international community.

A lot of international organisations' representatives and embassies are in Laos and at least one million foreign visitors come to our country. How can we do such thing," he said.

Supalak Ganjanakhundee

The Nation