Fix Phuket sea gypsy land problem now, national assembly told

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Fix Phuket sea gypsy land problem now, national assembly told

The Phuket News

NRSA Committee on Social Reform Chairman Anothai Ritpanyawong said he supported the proposal for the government to buy the land for Rawai sea gypsy villagers. Photo: PR Dept

PHUKET: The ongoing dispute between the Phuket sea gypsies in Rawai and claims to land in their village must be resolved now before the same dispute rears its head at other sea gypsy villages in Phuket, National Reform Steering Assembly (NSRA) officials were told yesterday (July 29).

“If we do nothing now, in 10 years Phuket will still have this problem and the sea gypsies’ livelihood will not improve. If we solve the land issues, other issues will be easy to tackle,” Phuket Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul told the NRSA Committee on Social Reform members at a meeting at Provincial Hall.

The committee officials, led by Chairman Anothai Ritpanyawong, were in Phuket to hear the latest status of the ongoing dispute involving claims by Baron World Trade Co Ltd and 13 other individuals to land at the sea gypsy village on the Rawai seafront. (See story here.)

Among the many people present at the meeting were Preeda Kongpan of the Committee for Sea Gypsy Problem Integrating Solution and Baron World Trade Co Ltd representative Chatri Mardsatul.

“There are five sea gypsy communities in Phuket – at Hinlukdiew, Leam La, Sapam and Laem Tukkae and Rawai – and they all face different issues in their areas,” V/Gov Prajiad said.

Speaking specifically about the sea gypsies at Rawai, V/G Prajiad explained, “The land that the Rawai sea gypsies are living on is claimed by many people. This land issue has been discussed in court. In some cases, the court has already ruled against the villagers, while other cases are still being heard.

However, he added, “Besides the land issue, villagers are also facing other problems, such as they have to pay higher rates than other areas for electricity. The villagers need to be the rightful owner of the land they live on and need public utilities in place.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/fix-phuket-sea-gypsy-land-problem-now-national-assembly-told-58468.php#X7GX3ZsJmAqDIce2.97

-- Phuket News 2016-07-30