Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Over 300 villagers in Ban Lao Chee Kuay are protesting in Chiang Rai against an order to exhume an ancestral grave, highlighting a deep-rooted land dispute and cultural tensions.

 

Villagers, led by Lahu community leaders, gathered at the Mae Chan district office to voice their opposition to a contentious decision. This followed the burial of Chakae Jitueaangkul, an 83-year-old Lahu elder, on a 15-rai orchard which had sparked a feud over cultural customs and land rights.

 

The land, originally occupied by the village's founder, Lao Chee Kuay, was transferred to Rewat Sakyawong and Metinee Jitueaangkul in 1990 and has since served as an orchard. Despite objections, Chakae’s family fulfilled his dying wish of being buried there, supported by roughly 100 villagers. This decision, however, clashed with the Lao Chee Kuay family's traditional view that the land is unsuitable for burials.

 

The tension has seen both parties meet five times in an attempt to reach an agreement. Chakae’s family showed willingness to compromise by adjusting the site to align with Mien customs. Yet, the Lao Chee Kuay family remained firm that the body should be removed, a demand opposed by Chakae’s kin who are adamant about preserving his burial on the land.

 

Amidst ongoing deadlock, local authorities issued an order for exhumation. Chakae's family rebuffed it, questioning its legal validity. They also suggested converting part of the orchard into a public cemetery, a proposal that has yet to receive a response from district officials.

 

Protesters demand fairness and clarity, insisting no one should be obligated to disinter family members without due cause. Their demonstration underscores a broader struggle over cultural respect and land entitlement, accentuating the need for a solution considerate of all parties involved. As the situation unfolds, the call for a balanced resolution remains a pressing issue, reflecting the complex intersections of personal rights and traditional beliefs.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-09

 

 

Extremely rude and offensive to destroy someone else's final resting place without consent of its keeper.

12 hours ago, black tabby12345 said:

Extremely rude and offensive to destroy someone else's final resting place without consent of its keeper.

Although the article isn't super clear on this, it makes it sound like they buried the deceased there AFTER the land was already transferred to the new owner.  Therefore they trespassed and buried this person on someone else's land.  Doesn't seem rude at all, they seem to be the rude ones.