Mini-videos: Sea Gypsies Protest About Ao Nui Beach Incident

[NBT TV Phuket]

Mini-video: Sea Gypsies in Rawai sub-district of Phuket sought assistance from the Phuket Governor citing that a businessman stopped them diving for fish at Ao Nui

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=204343

Around 100 members of Sea Gypsy tribes from the Rawai area in Phuket led by Ar-Lin Haadsaithong submitted their petition to ask for help from Phuket Governor Nirund Kalayanamit. They stated that a businessman threatened and forbid them from diving for fish at Ao Nui Bay near Kata.

Their letter stated that on January 31st while six villagers dived underwater for fish at the bay, a jet ski operator came and cut the wire for their air tubes. The alleged man also crashed into a villager who is now being hospitalized at Wachira hospital in Phuket town. Doctors advised that the victim should stop diving for 30 days and the victim filed a report to police to charge the other man with attempted murder. They asked the governor to investigate as the businessman claimed that the beach is private. Governor Nirund ordered police to pursue the case and said legal action must be taken for the justice of local villagers.

from Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & later on Phuket Cable channel 1, Friday 9 th February 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com { Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied and posted on other websites, but please give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket}

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Special - Sea Gypsy sleeping on the beach festival

To see or download mini-video, go to http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=204087

Special report for Andaman News TV11 (VHF dial) + Radio Thailand FM90.5 Phuket City, both broadcast to Phang Nga, Krabi & Phuket provinces, 8.30am & later on Phuket Cable channel 1, Wednesday 7 February 2007 & www.Thaisnews.com { Our news text and mini-videos can be freely copied, but please give credit to Andaman News TV11 Phuket}

This small hut was easily built and roofed with coconut leafs or what the Morgan sea gypsy tribe called Num and made along Mai Khao beach of Phuket as it signals to people that Prapenee Non Haad or the ‘sleeping on the beach festival’ has just begun.

Boonchuai Varee, Morgan sea gypsy said:

“I’m proud that the new generation like me still hasn’t abandoned an old tradition that was born together with Phuket. In the casting of rituals we will forecast future fertility on the third night of the festival by throwing a wooden stick into the sea and see whether it floats back or not; if yes it means there will be a small struggle of fishing in the future.”

The Sleeping on the beach festival usually follows the lunar calendar of every year starting on the Waxing Moon – or almost full moon period, which is considered being the meeting night of all the Morgan sea tribes in Phuket and nearby.

The festival aims to thank the supernatural spirits of nature after the whole year of fishing and to thank spirits for superstitious success they wished from Tor Hin Look Diew. According to the belief of people there, Tor Hin Look Deaw is a Muslim spirit who protects villagers from the bad evil and jinxes since their ancestors period:

Eiam Tangay, Shaman or Medium’s wife said:

“I want the generation to continue to keep this festival but I don’t know whether they will be interested because they likely prefer new technology.”

Arunrat Sinpet, Assistant Director of Tin Mine Museum of Kathu municipality

“Since I have been with them for almost 10years, I think this is a good festival that ancestors created for a long time until today and I don’t want it to be faded away”

Because of time passing by with the developments in world technology, this festival has become more unique and attractive with a traditional Rong Ngeng dance which really adds color to the sacred night.

From the past till present, the Morgan sea gypsy tribes have migrated in with their beautiful traditional rites which pass through generation to generation for their everlasting inheritance.