Laotians in Phetchaun to be repatriated mid this year

"It is possible that we are able to repatriate them in accordance with the schedule since it is now clear that the Hmong could return safely," said Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

 The minister visited Vientiane on Friday for his introductory trip and to review all issue of bilateral ties.

 The new government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would honor all agreements and commitments previous governments had made with Laos, he said.

 Thailand currently sheltered some 8,000 Hmong from Laos since 2004. They claimed they were close associate with CIA's secrete fighters left over in the jungle since the fall of Vientiane in 1975.

 Thailand and Lao, however, considered them as illegal migrants and agreed to repatriate to their places of origin.

Vientiane requested early this month to have at least 5,000 of them returned by June.

 Some 2,000 Hmong have already been repatriated to their original residents with assistance from Lao authorities for settlement.

 Kasit said Thailand would provide assistance worth Bt 1.5 million for public health service.

 Those who want to resettlement in third countries can make the requests through concern embassies in Laos not Thailand, he said.

 Thailand and Lao would strengthen cooperation on human trafficking to prevent illegal migrants, he said.

 The two countries would speed up to finish land boundary demarcation by the end of this year and water boundary by the end of next year, he said.

 Prime Minister Abhisit would visit Laos on January 23 for self introductory as the premier and discuss further cooperation.