In the beautiful Phuket, environmental advocates are urging the governing bodies to reclaim the ancestral territory of the indigenous sea-gypsy people, currently being leased to a hotel on Mai Khao beach. A group of around 20 individuals, which is part of the Andaman coast sea gypsies network and includes other activists, has taken the initiative to submit a petition to the provincial office and the Move Forward Party (MFP) representatives. Their primary concern is to shield the land from commercial exploitation, thereby protecting both local heritage and the natural living space of sea turtles.
The plea was received by deputies governor of Phuket, Anuphap Rodkwan Yodrabam, and MFP delegates Somchart Thechathaworncharoen, the representative of Phuket’s Constituency 1, Poonsak Janjampee, and Julapong Yooket. Orawan Hanthaleh, a member of the network, emphasized that the territory has been held sacred by the sea gypsies for multiple generations. She also pointed out that the local inhabitants had always collaborated with the officials of the Sirinat National Park for safeguarding the land.
However, earlier in this year, the area was enclosed by barbed-wire fencing, with the justifying announcement that a hotel was renting the public territory. Apart from the ritual site, Ms. Hanthaleh noted that this area also held significant economic importance for the community. It is their primary fishing ground and a nesting place for sea turtles. Consequently, explicit demands were put forward to the provincial ministries to address the land problem.
Firstly, the network requested the provincial governor to reassess the permit given to the hotel, enforce the removal of the encircling fence and keep the hotel off the premises until the dispute is equitable resolved. Secondly, the Finance Ministry was asked to instantly cease the lease, considering the potential harm both to the sea turtles and the traditional lifestyle of the sea-gypsies.
Thirdly, the Culture Ministry was requested to designate the site as a conservation area for shielding indigenous values. Fourthly, the network urged all media organizations and members of the populace to vigilantly monitor the site to thwart any potential land usurpation. Ms. Hanthaleh boldly stated that unless all the relevant ministries committed to resolving the problem within a fortnight, the network would stage a protest in Bangkok.
Mr. Anuphap publicly assured that the provincial office would confer with the Thalang district chief and local treasury office about the terms of the land usage, leasing agreement, and its implications on the localities. He also said he would forward the network’s petition to the provincial governor.
Parallelly, Mr. Somchart intimated that he would address the issue in the parliamentary discussion, with an anticipation to call upon the Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for clarification. Also, expressing his sensitivity towards the cultural value of the land, Mr. Poonsak advocated that any construction approval should be contingent on a successful environmental impact assessment.
Be First to Comment