Some persecuted Hmong whom have attempted it have survived the deadly journey into Thailand, but Thailand violates their basic human rights by incarcerating asylum-seekers as illegal immigrants, denying the United Nations access to them, and preventing their relocation to third countries, like Australia, whom have offered to take them in. Indeed, Thailand has forcibly repatriated refugees in order to maintain favorable relations with its neighbor, despite the fact that it is likely that the refugees will suffer at the hands of the Laotian army. If the persecuted Hmong hiding in the jungles cannot flee Laos and be resettled elsewhere, then there is really nowhere for them to go.

Thailand is in a difficult situation as large numbers of refugees enter Thailand from neighboring countries and they do not wish to open the flood-gates to scores more, which would include, in addition to legitimate asylum-seekers, many persons fleeing their own country simply because they are poor and wish to relocate to a wealthier nation with more opportunities. However, if fair determination procedures are implemented to winnow the truly persecuted from the opportunistic, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is able to observe or facilitate this process in order to certify its fairness (i.e. in accordance with Refworld), then those who do not qualify for refugee status may be repatriated without reprieve from the international community. This would discourage non-asylum-seekers from leaving their homes and making the expensive and arduous journey to Thailand in hopes of being relocated to another country.

Thailand wishes to have favorable relations with neighboring Laos, which is reasonable. Nevertheless, Thailand's desire for goodwill with Laos cannot come at the expense of disregarding the pleas of those in need. Thailand should use its influence to encourage Laos to allow the Hmong in hiding to reintegrate peacefully into Laotian society, thus stopping the stream of Hmong refugees at the source.