The Chao Ley, or sea gypsy community, in northern Phuket is petitioning officials to return ancestral land that has been leased to a hotel on Mai Khao Beach. They have been joined by a group of local activists, with representative Orawan Hanthaleh expressing concern about the alleged encroachment.

 

The group is calling on provincial officials and MPs from the Move Forward Party, who won all 3 Phuket constituencies in the May 14 general election, to join them in taking action. Orawan says the leasing of the land is having a negative impact on local heritage and the sea turtle population, whose habitat is under threat.

 

According to a Bangkok Post report, the group has submitted a petition to Phuket’s deputy governor, and the three Move Forward MPs.

 

By Peter Roche

PHOTO: Flickr/Brian Jeffery Beggerly

 

Full story: https://phuket-go.com/phuket-news/phuket-news/phuket-sea-gypsies-call-for-return-of-land-leased-to-mai-khao-hotel/

 

-- Phuket GO 2023-08-16

Good luck to them