XIENG KHOUANG PROVINCE, LAOS
A large part of Xieng Khouang’s population is made up of the Hmong minority, who you may know better from Gran Torino. They unfortunately bore the brunt of the war’s aftermath, not only from UXO but the political repercussions as well.

Much like in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, ethnic minorities in Laos fought ferociously on the side of the anti-communists. They were all but abandoned by their American allies, and fearing a vindictive communist purge thousands of Hmong fled to Thailand. Thousands more undoubtedly ended up victims of the purges. Many were able to move to the United States (to Minnesota and Wisconsin, weirdly enough), but at least 8,000 Hmong refugees remain in camps around Northern Thailand. Much like the Karen stuck in Mae La, the refugees have an extremely difficult time obtaining any official status and are effectively stateless.