Hmong burn camp to gain U.N. attention

BANGKOK, May 24 (UPI) -- Hmong refugees have burned a temporary camp in Thailand to get the attention of the United Nations, a Foreign Ministry official says.

Thani Thongphakdi, who serves as deputy director-general for the ministry's information department, said the Hmong refugees staged the protest in opposition of a plan to return them to their native Laos, The Bangkok Post reported Saturday.

The more than 200 protesters at the Ban Huay Nam Khao camp demanded that the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees become involved in the deportation battle.

Thani said the protesters were against the Thai government's attempts to relocate them and destroyed nearly 850 camp shelters in an attempt to accentuate their demands.

Saturday's protest also was paired with a peaceful protest by early Hmong refugees at the camp in the Phetchabun province, the Post said.

No arrests or injuries were reported from either protest.

The Hmong fought with U.S. and Thai forces during the Vietnam War, the newspaper said.