Some 100 households of Hmong, also known as Meo, have been residing at Takok, in Mong Yawn area, Monghsat township, opposite Chiangmai’s Mae Ai district, for as long as ten years, according to a local source. “Many of them speak Thai fluently,” she said.

The latest development took place following a visit by Pol Gen Wichian Potephosri, Commander of the Thai Police Force, to Naypyitaw, 13-15 August, followed by a reciprocal visit by his Burmese counterpart Kyaw Kyaw Tun, 22-23 August, according to DVB.

Thailand has made several arrests of Hmong drug traffickers since the new year began.

“We decided their voluntary departure was the best course for all of us,” said a Wa officer who asked his identity be protected.

An unconfirmed report says 4 Hmong leaders were detained by the Burmese military and their houses burned down.

A Thai security official confirmed some Hmong residents in the Wa territory of Mongyawn had returned to Thailand. “They carried valid IDs,” he said. “So there was no reason to keep them.”

According to Wa sources, the Hmongs in Takok had come from Thailand, Laos, China and other parts of Shan State. The Hmongs of Laos are known for their late leader Gen Vang Pao who died aged 81 of pneumonia with heart complications on January 6, 2011, during exile in the United States.

“Hmongs are loyal to each other,” said a Shan businessman in Shan State East. “If you catch them with drugs, most of them will say the drugs were theirs and will refuse to reveal their accomplices.”