Bangkok post 2012 11 11

Extracts from BANGKOK POST Sea Gypsy article  published 11^th 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.''