The Khmu, also known as Khamu or Kaamu, are a minority people whose numbers are estimated at about 600,000, with about 500,000 in Laos, 45,000 in northern Thailand and Vietnam, 10,000 in China and 8,000 in the U.S.A. They belong to the Mon/Khmer race and are thought to be the original inhabitants of Laos, who were displaced by the Thai/Lao migrating from China in the 14th.Century.