Bangkok post 2012 11 11
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Extracts from BANGKOK POST Sea Gypsy article published 11th November 2012
The
Community Network for Political and Social Reform, which encompasses
ethnic groups nationwide, says there are 41 sea gypsy communities on the
Andaman's shores with an estimated population of 17,400, and they are suffering
under the conservation regulations, especially those of the National Parks,
Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.
( sea gypsies protesting for human rights in Bangkok )
It was
a little more than 20 years ago that things started to change. One day Nui
sailed to Koh Surin, where he was told by officials that he could not fish in
the shallow waters any more because it was now a national park. If he insisted
on fishing there, he would be arrested.
According
to the Community Network for Political and Social Reform, 28 out of 41 sea
gypsy communities face the threat of having their land seized, and it is almost
impossible for them to stop it because those doing the land grabbing hold land
right documents.
( Sea Gypsies protesting for human rights in Bangkok )
At Rawai
beach, at least 10 sea gypsy families are being sued by private land owners.
Nui's family is one of them, and he has vowed to fight to the end to keep the
land he lives on, just as his ancestors did.
At Koh
Phi Phi, a few hotels have already been built on sea gypsy cemeteries and at
Lan Ta in Krabi province, the sea gypsies are being told to remove their loved
ones' remains from Bor Nae cemetery or see them destroyed by land developers.
Maitree
Jongkraijak, a leading member of the Community Network for Political and Social
Reform, said the problems of the sea gypsies have grown over time and first
received widespread public attention following the 2004 tsunami, which
destroyed their homes and saw their ancestral land subject to land grabs.
``Sea gypsies do not have the concept of occupying
and possessing things or land, and that is one reason why they have problems
fighting claims to their land,'' said Mr Maitree.
``But what is clear in their case is that the
present administration and regulations are very fixed and narrow -they do not
embrace those who have different lifestyles, especially traditional ones that
may be out of the context of the present administration and regulations. They
just do not embrace diverse cultures and societies.''
Narumon Arunotai, a lead researcher at Chulalongkorn
University's Social Research Institute, and vice-chairwoman of a subcommittee
following up the progress of the cabinet resolution, said the principal problem
concerning sea gypsies may be the public prejudice against them.
Ms Narumon agreed with Mr Maitree that sea gypsies
have very different values and lifestyles. This has been reflected in land
conflicts. Most people think of land as being owned by individuals, while sea
gypsies think of it as communal. In fact, they hardly have a concept of
possession, which is in keeping with the sufficiency economy theory.
Instead of learning from them, people view them as
strange and try to compel them to become part of ``normal'' society.
Ms Narumon said such attitudes are wrong and people
need to be more open to different cultures and a more diverse society.
The cabinet resolution, she said, is progress, since
it acknowledges the sea gypsies' problems, which have at least been addressed
at a policy level. Implementation is what is required now, she said.
``At least the cabinet resolution has shown that
there is room to embrace others, although it may mean the creation of a special
cultural zone to facilitate it,'' said Ms Narumon. ``I call it progress as it
embraces the principle of coexistence. We live in the same world, so we must
acknowledge others, not marginalise them.''
