As the Hmong guerrilla forces grew larger and the hills around the PDJ turned into combat grounds, the Thais and the Americans decided to extend the Hmong training into Thailand. The first Hmong batch arrived at the PARU training camp near the seaside resort of Hua Hin in January 1962. The training in Thailand was well liked by Hmong soldiers, for Hua Hin not only offered comprehensive training facilities, but also gave Hmong troops a break from real fighting with the North Vietnamese and the Pathet Lao.