Thai Hmong woman walks by Thai Army soldiers outside the Hmong camp in northern Phetchabun province, Thailand, on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009. The Thai government said it would not disclose the timing for its expulsion of 4,000 ethnic Hmong to Laos, but human rights groups warned it could begin as early as Sunday evening and degenerate into violence. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)AP – Thailand sent army troops with shields and batons to evict some 4,000 ethnic Hmong asylum seekers Monday and send them back to Laos despite strong objections from the U.S. and rights groups who fear they will face persecution.