Sea gypsies break down over letter 'misunderstanding'

Kongleaphy Keam

Photo: Kongleaphy Keam

PHUKET: Rawai sea gypsies were left distraught yesterday afternoon, after the Region 4 Army deputy commander Kunnawut Morkaew left Phuket Provincial Hall without accepting a letter they had prepared for him.

“We have been waiting to submit the letter all day. We don’t understand why the general left without accepting it,” a member of the group said.

A meeting between officials, sea gypsies, human right activists and Baron World Trade Co Ltd the same day ended without a decision on any viable solutions to the ongoing land dispute.

Full story: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Sea-gypsies-break-down-letter-misunderstanding/64049?desktopversion#ad-image-0

-- Phuket Gazette 2016-06-12

Oh dear me, I fear these poor people are screwed,

“We are just powerless locals asking for our rights. The army is our only hope for justice,” a member said.

The general didn't accept it because the military junta doesn't give a rats about you. You are considered sub human and part of the cause of Thailand's human rights and trafficking problem.

Anyway I hear the reconciliation and the return of happiness thingy is progressing nicely.

The general left without meeting the Sea Gypsies to accept their letter, in order to impress upon them the total and complete contempt he has for them.

The general has a lot to answer for and should be severly disciplined for showing such disrespect. Shame on him, shame on the military and shame on the government.

I think the Sea Gypsies are severly screwed if this is an example of how this government intends to help them. Once more, another example of how this junta is bringing happiness to the people.

....wow....

...human rights....

Oh dear me, I fear these poor people are screwed,

“We are just powerless locals asking for our rights. The army is our only hope for justice,” a member said.

Which means you are screwed

Regional Army chief urges peaceful progress as Phuket sea gypsy dispute heads to court
The Phuket News


Scores of Rawai gypsies waited at Provincial Hall in vain as Fourth Army Region Deputy Commander Maj Gen Khunawat Morkaew left without receiving their letter. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: -- Fourth Army Region Deputy Commander Maj Gen Khunawat Morkaew has urged Baron World Trade Co Ltd and the residents at the sea gypsy village Rawai to pursue peaceful means in resolving their dispute over land in the village.

Gen Khunawat’s plea for peace came after a closed-door meeting with Phuket officials at Provincial Hall to discuss the dispute on Thursday (June 9), one day before the Phuket Provincial Court began hearing the claims from both parties in the hope of resolving the dispute on Friday (June 10).

“Local officials have already discussed with Baron World Trade Co and come to an understanding with them that they should rely on communication not confrontation with villagers,” he said.

The ongoing dispute with Baron World Trade is over land where the sea gypsies’ sacred Balai shrine is located. Tensions flared on May 25, when more than 200 sea gypsy villagers confronted 50 workers who arrived with a backhoe and began moving boulders into place to block access to the sea gypsies’ sacred Balai shrine, which sits on part of the disputed land.

The confrontation escalated into clashes, with workers and sea gypsies throwing rocks at each other for 30 minutes. The rock fight stopped when Chalong Police arrived with more than 50 officials.

Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada has made repeated calls for peace, his latest as recently as May 31 after 200 sea gypsies gathered at the site after hearing rumours that Baron World Trade workers were to return to work. (See story here.)

“We’ll let the court decide how they want to solve this land dispute issue between villagers and Baron World Trade. I have also ordered the police to be fair to both parties when investigating the complaints that each party has filed against each other,” Governor Chamroen said.

“This land dispute is very complicated, so both parties must avoid using violence in the hope of ending the issue. No one is above the law,” he added.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/regional-army-chief-urges-peaceful-progress-as-phuket-sea-gypsy-dispute-heads-to-court-57843.php

-- Phuket News 2016-06-13

Well let the court decide how they want to solve this land dispute issue between villagers and Baron World Trade. I have also ordered the police to be fair to both parties when investigating the complaints that each party has filed against each other, Governor Chamroen said.

Yeh - right - money and power talks and poor people walk ....