They were courageous and disciplined fighters and many thousands were rewarded with U.S. citizenship. Around and to the west of Chiang Mai, most of the villages are Blue Hmong, whereas in the east only White Hmong villages can be found. Their population in Thailand is about 70,000. They originate in western China, possibly Mongolia. Blue Hmong women wear beautiful pleated skirts with parallel horizontal bands of red, blue, and white, intricately embroidered.
Jackets are of black satin, with wide orange and yellow embroidered cuffs and lapels.
The hair is tied in a large bun. Men wear baggy black pants and jackets embroidered in a similar way to the women s, closing over the chest with a button at the left shoulder. White Hmong women wear black baggy trousers with a long wide blue cummerbund with a central pink area, which hangs almost to the ground. Their jackets are simple, with blue cuffs. Some groups wear a brimless blue cap.