In 1975, after the fall of Saigon, Vietnam, the first Cambodian refugees started arriving to California. Constant conflict between young Cambodians and their families resulted in many of the youths running away to live on the streets where they were exposed to gang life and became involved in criminal activities. By the mid-1980's, Cambodian street youths started to band together to protect themselves from other street gangs. The TRG was was heavily influenced by a Hispanic gang known as the East Side Longos in Long Beach, California. The TRG is highly mobile, has expanded from California to many other parts of the United States, and focuses on crime for profit. Tattoos are commonly seen on TRG members, as is the popular shaved head. In 1996, national TRG gang membership was estimated at over 2,000. Methods used by the TRG to formally establish membership in the gang are noted, and gang involvement in such criminal actions as prostitution and illegal gambling to generate revenue is discussed. 2 illustrations