Krabi Palm Plantation Owners In Gunbattle

[sbk]

One killed, six injured in Krabi gunbattle over land

By The Nation

Published on March 10, 2009

One person was killed and six others injured in a gun-battle yesterday at Krabi's Khao Phanom district over a land-ownership dispute between two local palm plantations.

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One of the injured men, Sophon Treesong, died in hospital later. A 14-year-old boy also sustained injuries in the conflict. Police have not arrested any of the 50 people involved in the dispute and later in the shootout.

The two groups, comprising some 40 employees of Sri Trang Palm and around 10 of the people working for the so-called Land Development Organisation for Agriculture of Thailand, initially started the confrontation when a moat was dug around a Sri Trang Palm property to protect against encroachment.

While both sides were trying to negotiate, the palm planters allegedly opened fire on the organisation's workers, who retaliated in the same manner. Eventually, both sides ceased the gunfire and took their injured to hospital.

Pol Colonel Ekkawat Phoyenyart, chief of Khao Phanom police, said later that the police would take action against both groups and find out who started the shooting.

The officer said a civil process would also be needed to make a decision on the land-ownership dispute.

Pharadorn Janphet, a lawyer for the organisation, said the 10,000 rai of land occupied by Sri Trang Palm firm belonged to the state because its long-term lease had expired in 2000. He said the association's employees would continue rallying for their land rights unless the perpetrators of the shooting were arrested.

Prasobchoke Morrakot, kamnan of Tambon Khao Din, said the association's employees had caused disruptions with their protests and activities. He accused them of stealing palm fruit and illegally setting up checkpoints and searching villagers.

Source: The Nation