Army calls sea gypsies in for eviction dialogue
Darawan Naknakhon


Maj Gen Teenachat Jindangern, commander of Royal Thai Army’s 41st Military Circle, adresses the Rawai sea gypsies in front of Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Apr 26). Photo: Darawan Naknakhon

PHUKET: -- More than 100 sea gypsies gathered outside Phuket Provincial Hall yesterday (Apr 26) as their fellow indigenous villagers attended talks with Army officers and Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada about their impending eviction from parts of the sea gypsy village in Rawai.

The first order of business was to allay fears that sea gypsies had been called in for “attitude adjustment”.

Present for the talks was Tianjai Deetas, from the National Human Right Commission (NHRC).

Maj Gen Teenachat Jindangern, commander of Royal Thai Army’s 41st Military Circle, said a letter issued earlier this month was “only a request” for the people named in the letter to present themselves to the ISOC Region 4 Army base in Nakhon Sri Thammarat province.

“The letters were only written requests to gain information in order to end the dispute with Baron World Trade Co Ltd, which is moving ahead with its claim to land alongside the sea gypsy village,” Gen Teenachat told The Phuket News.

The letters, issued on April 1, named 10 Rawai sea gypsies and two “activists” who took part in a demonstration in Rawai on January 27 that stifled attempts by workers to proceed with clearing . (See story here.)

The letter also pointed out that participation in the protest was in defiance of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ban on political congregations.

“So we made it clear today that the letter was not a demand for them to report to us,” Gen Teenachat said. “We only need some information regarding the issue so we can help to resolve it.

“We talked to villagers and explained to them our intention. We only want to talk to them so we understand each other. We want to hear from the point of view from the sea gypsy villagers. We want to know what they really want, what kind of life they expect to have.

“We have heard enough from others and officials reports of what is best for them. Today, we want to hear from the villagers themselves. Today, we gained enough information about their livelihood and what they want, but to end the dispute we still have to discuss this with Baron Trade Co also,” he added.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/army-calls-sea-gypsies-in-for-eviction-dialogue-57190.php

-- Phuket News 2016-04-27

Baron World Trade Co Ltd

Perhaps "Robber Baron World Trade Co Ltd" would be a better name.

Indigenous peoples of the world - you are so <deleted>.

Baron World Trade Co Ltd

Perhaps "Robber Baron World Trade Co Ltd" would be a better name.

Anyone know if there are shareholders with military or ex-military connections? Just a thought.

We only want to talk to them so we understand each other.

I can see how that 'dialogue' will go

Sea Gypsy (nervously shuffles his feet on the platform): " we've been here for generations, can't you just let us be?"

Corporation Shill in Army/Government uniform (puffs his chest out): "Well, my puppet masters have got more power and money than you so orf you pop" (or words to that effect)

Corrupt from the top to a bit lower down......revolting state of affairs....