ID :
146788
Wed, 10/20/2010 - 12:03
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/146788
The shortlink copeid
Injustice to sea gypsies in Thailand's Andaman coastal provinces
In Thailand's six southern Andaman coastal provinces reside 30 communities of over 10,000 of the so-called sea gypsies, who have now become prisoners in their own homeland, despite being original inhabitants in their ancestral land for a century.
Land insecurity is now the main problem facing three ethnic groups of Moken, Morglan and Urak Lawoi in Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Ranong, Trang and Satun as about 25 communities of the total 30 are found to have no title deeds for the lands they have occupied for generations.
Nearly six years ago when the Boxing Day tsunami hit Thailand's Andaman coastal provinces, the Moken sea gypsies in Phangnga province at TapTawan village suffered severe devastation, while the minorities of the three ethnics were forced to move off the land where they have been living for over a hundred years by businessmen who claim they have the land's legal possession.
The Cabinet in June agreed to revitalise the seafaring peoples’ way of life and designated a special cultural zone for them, hoping it would help resolve their current problems.
Consequently, the first gathering day of the sea gypsies was held in late September by related agencies in Phangnga's Takua Pa district, attended by over 2,000 sea gypsies members of all ethnics, in oder to strengthen their network and relations.
"I think at least the Cabinet resolution will serve as a mechanism to fix problems partially. For example, if anyone wants to evict the seafarers, we can apply the Cabinet resolution as a basis for talking to find a possible solution," said Preeda Kongpan, manager of the Chumchonthai Foundation.
Moken ethnic Laab Harntalay said she was happy to meet with sea gypsies from other communities.
"That the public sector organised the event was good for us. We'll be able to join each other, see each other more often, and becoming one group," said Laab. She said she supported the government's policy to set up the special cultural area, for it is a good sign to help tackle the sea gypsies' chronic problems.
Representatives from Phuket's Urak Lawoi minority of the Rawai community, Sanit Sae-sua, said the designation of a special cultural area for the southern ethnic minorities will help reduce the problems of the sea gypsies in terms of their identity, land security and language.
"We'll have more stable life regarding our language, tribal ceremonies, security and domicile," said Sanit.
As these groups of nomads have no rights to make a living in their area, they were automatically forced to earn their income by fishing in deep water zones. As a result, many of them become ill and handicapped with water-borne diseases.
However, Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI) president Gen Surin Pikulthong believes that the government should officially consider that the areas where the sea gypsies are living are a part of Thailand instead of being a special cultural area for the ethnic minorities.
"If this is considered a special area, then there will be some relaxation. Once the relaxation is over, then everything will return to its previous condition. The sea gypsies will be back in trouble again," said Gen Surin.
He suggested that the government should adopt a policy officially recognising all sea gypsies communities in Thailand, and that they belong to the country so that they would be entitled to their basic rights. (MCOT online news)
Land insecurity is now the main problem facing three ethnic groups of Moken, Morglan and Urak Lawoi in Phuket, Phangnga, Krabi, Ranong, Trang and Satun as about 25 communities of the total 30 are found to have no title deeds for the lands they have occupied for generations.
Nearly six years ago when the Boxing Day tsunami hit Thailand's Andaman coastal provinces, the Moken sea gypsies in Phangnga province at TapTawan village suffered severe devastation, while the minorities of the three ethnics were forced to move off the land where they have been living for over a hundred years by businessmen who claim they have the land's legal possession.
The Cabinet in June agreed to revitalise the seafaring peoples’ way of life and designated a special cultural zone for them, hoping it would help resolve their current problems.
Consequently, the first gathering day of the sea gypsies was held in late September by related agencies in Phangnga's Takua Pa district, attended by over 2,000 sea gypsies members of all ethnics, in oder to strengthen their network and relations.
"I think at least the Cabinet resolution will serve as a mechanism to fix problems partially. For example, if anyone wants to evict the seafarers, we can apply the Cabinet resolution as a basis for talking to find a possible solution," said Preeda Kongpan, manager of the Chumchonthai Foundation.
Moken ethnic Laab Harntalay said she was happy to meet with sea gypsies from other communities.
"That the public sector organised the event was good for us. We'll be able to join each other, see each other more often, and becoming one group," said Laab. She said she supported the government's policy to set up the special cultural area, for it is a good sign to help tackle the sea gypsies' chronic problems.
Representatives from Phuket's Urak Lawoi minority of the Rawai community, Sanit Sae-sua, said the designation of a special cultural area for the southern ethnic minorities will help reduce the problems of the sea gypsies in terms of their identity, land security and language.
"We'll have more stable life regarding our language, tribal ceremonies, security and domicile," said Sanit.
As these groups of nomads have no rights to make a living in their area, they were automatically forced to earn their income by fishing in deep water zones. As a result, many of them become ill and handicapped with water-borne diseases.
However, Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI) president Gen Surin Pikulthong believes that the government should officially consider that the areas where the sea gypsies are living are a part of Thailand instead of being a special cultural area for the ethnic minorities.
"If this is considered a special area, then there will be some relaxation. Once the relaxation is over, then everything will return to its previous condition. The sea gypsies will be back in trouble again," said Gen Surin.
He suggested that the government should adopt a policy officially recognising all sea gypsies communities in Thailand, and that they belong to the country so that they would be entitled to their basic rights. (MCOT online news)
