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[Lite Beer]

Phuket sea gypsy land dispute erupts again

Navy officers talk to the sea gypsy community.

PHUKET: It has been alleged that more than 40 men were told to leave Rawai beach yesterday (June 25) when they set up a tent to block the entrance to the sea gypsy community.

At 11am, Rawai Municipality was called to the village where a tent had been set up to block the entrance to part of the village sea gypsies use to worship their ancestors. The man are also alleged to have ordered the villagers to demolish a sala used for worshiping.

Chalong police were also called to the area to help Rawai Municipality officials ease tension between the men and a large group of sea gypsies who had gathered.

Lt Col Sathit Noorit from Chalong police organised an immediate meeting with sea gypsy representative, Sanit Shairshoa, and a man said to be the leader of the group of 40 men.

The group of men were asked to remove the tent as it blocked the entrance to the community. However, rather than removing it they moved it to another position.

As a result, the Royal Navy were called who then told the leader and his group to leave and remove the tent because the land is under investigation and the area should not be blocked.

The men removed the tent, however, they insisted that two men be allowed to remain at the site to protect the disputed land, which the Navy allowed.

However, the Navy have ensured that they will send more patrols to monitor the area and protect the villagers.

Muang District Chief, Supoj Chanakit, has now also ordered volunteers to monitor the situation and to ensure the safety of the residents.

Police have stated that yesterday̕s conflict was connected to a issue on Monday (June 22) where the sea gypsies visited Provincial Hall to plea for help when they claimed that an investor had threatened to have them shot if they interfered with his claim to their land.

As a result of their visit, Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkhaosutthirak told the villagers that Mr Supoj would send civil defense volunteers and Chalong police would also send officers to safeguard residents while the land claims are investigated.

It was also said that the Royal Thai Navy would be contacted and requested to send additional troops to the area.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-sea-gypsy-land-dispute-erupts-again-52936.php

-- Phuket News 2015-06-26

[snowgard]

Unbelievable!!! In every EU Country the police had arrested the men.

If I am one of the villagers I tried that every villager gone to the police and applied for a gun license!!! Hard to believe that the police do nothing and call the army for help. Looks like the higher policemen don't want to be involved.

[callaway]

Maybe the higher police are already involved hence not getting involved now

[JetsetBkk]

they insisted that two men be allowed to remain at the site to protect the disputed land, which the Navy allowed.

Are they worried someone may dig it up and take it away?