Standover tactics win reprieve in Phuket sea gypsy land dispute
The Phuket News


Sea gypsies in Rawai have vowed not to allow Baron World Trade workers to recover their backhoe unless they also remove large boulders placed at the site. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has assured angry sea gypsies in Rawai that he has again asked Baron World Trade Co Ltd to have its workers stand down at the disputed land site in the village in the hope of preventing further violence.

Governor Chamroen’s call for clemency came yesterday after 200 sea gypsies gathered at the site after hearing rumours that Baron World Trade workers were to return to work yesterday morning (May 30).

“We heard a rumour that the company will send more workers and bring more backhoes into the area, so villagers gathered at the site to monitor the situation,” said Niran Yongpan, a spokesman for the sea gypsies.

“In the morning, there were 200 of us at the site, but now we have left a group of only 10 to 20 people to work in shifts to keep an eye on them if they decide to show up,” he said.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/standover-tactics-win-reprieve-in-phuket-sea-gypsy-land-dispute-57658.php


-- Phuket News 2016-06-01

Unbelievable! Now after several bloody confrontations, the "governor" has decided to maybe follow the law?

Meanwhile, Governor Chamroen confirmed that he has sent a formal request asking Baron World Trade to stop work in the area until the issue is resolved in order to avoid any further conflict.

“What we can do for sea gypsies now is to prevent any violent conflict from happening between the villagers and workers from the land developer,” he said.

“At this time, all we can do is follow the law since both the company and the villagers claim to have rights to the land in dispute,” he added.

Why didn't the "governor" ("a Phuket native") and his minions at the Chalong Police Station follow the law in the first place? This case in still in the courts and the DSI backs the Sea Gypsy claim, not the Baron World Trade claims. It seems like there should be an in depth investigation into the Phuket Land Office and other Phuket officials as there are plenty of cases in the courts regarding illegal titles to lands in National Parks and beaches... Although I rather doubt that will happen as it seems to run too deep and has been going on too long.