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.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Phanat Nikhom Refugee Camp 1984 Part 1 - Photos courtesy of John Launder

The original post can be view here:
http://johnl-jlreflections.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/nikhom-refugee-camp-1984-part-1-from.html

Phanat Nikhom Refugee Camp 1984 Part 1

From photo slides I took during my short term as a volunteer for COERR Christamas - New Year 1983-84. I will post more as I find and digitise. I would be pleased if there was feedback from any one who recognises themself or a relative or friend. If some one sees a photo that they desire not to be public also please contact me.

John Launder - May 2015
Delivery of supplies by COERR to Phanat Camp 1984

Obtaining supplies

Fr Ives (from France) Phanat 1984

English Class Phanat - Hmong ladies students

Hmong mother and child at English class

Lao family in Phanat 1984

Phanat 1984 - situation?

Heading "home" at Phanat 1984

Hunger for education - Phanat 1984













One serious little face - Phanat 1984
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1 comment:

  1. HabacucJanuary 29, 2021 at 12:47 AM

    What memories! My wife and I worked with these wonderful people from 1993 to 1995, in the YWAM elementary schools. Wishing everybody all the best.

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