152 His Mission, Our Mission While the SVD missionary priest tended to the refugee community, primarily comprised of Protestant believers, Ms. Nguyet, a dedicated volunteer of three years, meticulously observed and tallied the quantity of vegetables, ensuring there was enough for everyone. However, amidst the familiar smiles today, Ms. Nguyet felt a pang of sentimentality. This trip marked her final distribution of vegetables in Thailand. Vietnamese refugees in Thailand Tran Thi Thu Nguyet is one of over two thousand Vietnamese individuals who have sought political asylum in Thailand in recent years. They hail from diverse ethnic backgrounds, with the Tay people from the Central Highlands, the H’Mong from the Northwest, the Khmer Krom from the Mekong Delta, and human rights activists among the largest groups, fleeing oppression in their homeland and crossing the border into Thailand. Since the Thai government has not ratified the 1951 Refugee Convention, refugees in Thailand are considered illegal immigrants. Due to this lack of recognition, refugees encounter significant challenges in securing stable employment to sustain their basic livelihoods, while assistance from the UNHCR in Thailand remains limited. In addition to navigating local law enforcement, refugees grapple with ongoing difficulties such as language barriers, limited access to medical care, harsh living conditions, inadequate food supplies, frequent unemployment, and the fear of police arreSt These challenges were exacerbated during the
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