Panatnikhom is about 200km East of Vietnamese refugees border camps. It was established in July 1980 as a processing center for the refugees: Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian. The refugees were transferred from other refugee camps in Thailand for third country resettlement process. Vietnamese Land Refugees (VNLR) were also transported here for processing. Most lived here for about 1 month, longer if they needed medical treatment or depended on the resettlement countries, before flying out to final destination.
As it was, Panatnikhom existed only in our dream for many years we languished along the border. We thought about it more than about anywhere else. It had become part of our journey, albeit very short time.

The photos in this blog are courtesy of several people, with the timeline noted below. We sincerely thank you all of you for sharing these priceless photos

Trinh Huy Chuong, a fellow refugee who was lucky enough to have a small camera to capture the most memorable memory in the short time he was there, from December 1987 to June 1988.

John Launder, a volunteer from Australia who was assisting refugees at Panatnikhom in 1984.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Panatnikhom Arrival & Departure Area

Everyone was dropped off or picked up from this area.The refugees were waiting for their name to be called, either for admission into the transit center, or for boarding the bus to the airport.
This picture shows the refugees in decent clothing and shoes, they must be ready to board the bus to the airport, leaving the refugee life behind.

(Photo courtesy of Trinh Huy Chuong)
Chuong at the arrival&depature area outside the camp

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