Dimming the twilight in the serene skies of Doi Saket district, a congregation of indigenous Karen villagers makes a plea for their inherent existence and culture. The evolving Sunday was a platform for these tribal inhabitants residing in two distinct, remote forest villages namely Ban Huay Pha Tuen and Yom Ban Doi, in the tambon Pa Miang of Doi Saket district. Their plea? To ask the government to backtrack and repeal each policy concerning the management of their homes, a.k.a. forest land.
Exercising their democratic rights, these villagers decided to capitalize on Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s visit to the northern region, to submit their petition. They, unequivocally, demanded the annulment of the distorting policies on forest land management enforced by the National Land Policy Board (NLPB). They further declared their allegiance to the 2010 regulation on land and natural resource management issued by the Prime Minister’s own office and a Cabinet resolution on the third of August, 2010. Under the coverings of these legislations, the ethnic communities of Thailand proudly found recognition of their inherent rights.
An underpinning fear looms over these villagers due to the stringent principles of the NLBP. Not having absolute ownership of their humble abodes could deprive them of the essential resources to lead a decent life. This very fear stirred the villagers into action, urging them to stand firm and voice their plight. They have been the forest’s inhabitants since antiquity, long before the meticulous design of the current forest land management unfolded.
“The core livelihood of an individual dwelling within a forest community goes unnoticed and underappreciated within the cumbersomeness of the NLBP’s principles of forest land management,” cries the group. Thus, they beckon for the birth of a community land title deed to maintain continuity in their way of life as well as to relay and preserve it through generations. This single imperative deed can guarantee continuity in their existence whilst preserving their tribal traditions and lore.
The NLBP’s green economy policy has been implicated in their complaint. It was the Board’s intent to replenish the forest, boosting its tree count by 40%. Although at first glance this initiative seems noble, upon deeper reflection it appears to cater more for the investors’ interest rather than the indigenous stakeholders. The tribe calls for the halt of this imbalanced initiative as it undermines their existence in favor of the investors.
Finally, the tribal villagers advocate for the government’s acknowledgement of their misgivings. An apology is sought from the powers that be for the infringement of the human rights of the tribal inhabitants. These violations arise from the introduction and continued implementation of policies that threaten their survival and disregard their ethnic culture.
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