Wave Victims Say Govt Help Pledge `a Big Lie'

[george]

Wave victims say govt help pledge `a big lie'

Phangnga: -- The Thaksin Shinawatra administration's pledge to rehabilitate tsunami-stricken villagers has become a ``big lie'', according to more than 300 tsunami victims yesterday. The villagers, who are facing eviction by landlords, gathered in front of Phangna Naval Base for almost six hours in the blazing sun only to find out that the premier had refused to meet them.

The rally was joined by villagers from Laem Pom, Thap Tawan, Ban Nai Rai in Phangnga and Ban Layan from Phuket's Thalang district, where seven tsunami-hit fishermen are being sued by an influential businessman for allegedly encroaching on beachfront land.

None of the cabinet ministers taking part in the meeting in tsunami-hit Phangnga province came out to meet villagers or receive a petition calling on the government to look into their cases and help them reclaim public land from landlords holding illegal land rights documents.

Only a group of 500-strong Thai Rak Thai supporters were allowed inside the cabinet meeting venue, where they talked with Mr Thaksin and his ministers.

``We're very disappointed with the Thaksin government. What's the use of holding a meeting here if they don't care about villagers' suffering,'' said Ratree Kongwatmai, leader of Laem Pom community in Ban Nam Khem, Takua Pa district.

After the tsunami, Far East Trading and Construction, reportedly linked with influential politicians, laid claim to about 400 rai of beachfront land in Laem Pom and accused the villagers of encroaching on its property many years ago.

The villagers, who had started to rebuild their homes on the disputed land plot, have reported incidents of intimidation by men believed to work for the company.

An initial investigation headed by Gen Surin Pikulthong, chairman of a committee solving land disputes in the six tsunami-hit provinces, found the firm's land rights document to be illegal.

However, Phangnga provincial office has refused to install electricity and tap water systems on the land to avoid having any problems with the firm.

The Laem Pom land dispute is one of the most controversial cases to have emerged after the tsunami. There have been similar cases in several communities in Phangnga and Phuket, where beachfront land is in high demand by hotel developers.

Thirteen-year-old Sunisa Thongmuang said Mr Thaksin was the only person who could help Laem Pom villagers as she said local authorities were under the influence of landlords.

The rally was also joined by about 10 foreign volunteers who had helped Laem Pom villagers rebuild their houses.

Peter Bartley, 39, a construction worker from Ireland, said the government's neglect of the villagers' plight would adversely affect international assistance for tsunami victims in Thailand.

--Bangkok Post 2005-09-07