Hmong tribesmen block road to Phu Tab Berk to protest against demolition operations

[webfact]

Hmong tribesmen block road to Phu Tab Berk to protest against demolition operations

 

 

PETCHABUN: -- About 300 Hmong tribesmen on Saturday blocked the main road leading to Phu Tab Berk mountain retreat to protest against the demolition of illegal resorts and guesthouses.

 

The hilltribe protesters, led by Pornchai Banchasawan, Piyarak sae Thao and Mongkol Thaoraktrakul, demanded that the ongoing demolition operations be stopped and all the heavy machinery be moved out. They also demanded that a talk should be held between resort operators and officials concerned who have the power to make decisions and that no more encroachments charges should be lodged against resort operators.

 

About 20 illegal resorts and guesthouses have been designated for demolition which began a few days ago.

 

Petchabun deputy governor Kraisorn Kongchalard headed a team of government officials in talk with the protesters’ representatives on Saturday. The government team agreed to suspend the demolition and to move the heavy machinery out, but would not accept the other demands claiming that they would take into consideration.

 

Satisfied with the officials’ pledge, the protesters called off the protest and opened the road to normal traffic.

 

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/hmong-tribesmen-block-road-phu-tab-berk-protest-demolition-operations/

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2016-08-22

[Alive]

I just wonder what hypocrisy is going on up there. Are they knocking some down while letting other resorts or homes stay because they have connections to special people? Thailand is the home of the fountain of hypocrisy.

[canopy]

It's a shame they allowed the hill tribes and lower class Thai's to completely ruin this mountain before lifting a finger which they have now retracted after the protest, sigh. They aren't demolishing anyone's homes; they just want to rid the mountain of the illegal businesses. Living among hill tribes in this area I find them one of the most destructive forces against nature. It's a strange revelation as we are taught how they are living in harmony with nature when in fact all they do is ruthlessly exploit and ruin all reachable land, flora, and fauna that isn't theirs out of greed.

 

[JAS21]

We have been there three times now and each time it's more commercial.

 

What the army should do is block the acesses to the area until the 'locals' stop being paid to demonstrate.

 

And continue to take down the illegal buildings. 

 

A Margaret Thatcher is needed here ... okay I don't understand Thiness.

 

I wonder who are the people actually making the 'real money' here.

 

My wife belongs to a group who sponser the local school. The group had to buy a large water tank for the school as due to 'developments' they had little or no water supply during the day.

 

Big money is completely spoiling the beautiful area.

Edited August 22, 2016 by JAS21

[Denim]

Passed through there recently but didn't stop. Whatever it might have been it now looks like a slum in the sky .

However ...... most Thai don't seem to care. The important thing is that they have been to the trending places and can brag to their friends about it. As we were passing through we saw a lot of Bandido motorcyclists apparently heading their. Enough said.

[smedly]

2 hours ago, Alive said:

I just wonder what hypocrisy is going on up there. Are they knocking some down while letting other resorts or homes stay because they have connections to special people? Thailand is the home of the fountain of hypocrisy.

and making things up and posting it here hardly adds value to any discussion, these people decided to erect buildings and structures on land that did not belong to them and were they cannot show legal doccuments that allowed them to do so, what else do you expect authorities to do - just ignore it - well yes it has been ignored for decades

 

Thais in some way remind me of gypsies the difference being that encroachment here is an epidemic soaked in backhanders and corruption were officials are filling their pockets through corruption, my only complaint is that not enough is being done to punish those officials involved but it is so widespread it is almost and impossible task

 

encroachment is happening all over Thailand and already many heavy hitters have (people with connections) have been given their marching orders and in some cases criminal convictions

[phutoie2]

Sounds like the tribes folk are on the resort owners payroll. If the governor makes a tel call to the Cavalry division at BH barracks, Phetch all will be sorted.

 

[halloween]

B500/day is the usual rate for rent a crowd, though it may have gone up in the last 6 years.

[Eric Loh]

I thought the whole exercise was to take back the illegal land and give them back to the Hmong people. Why are they protesting? They don't trust the real intention of the junta government? Seem the Hmong people trust the resort owners more than the military.

[halloween]

1 hour ago, Eric Loh said:

I thought the whole exercise was to take back the illegal land and give them back to the Hmong people. Why are they protesting? They don't trust the real intention of the junta government? Seem the Hmong people trust the resort owners more than the military.

 

As "In God We Trust" printed on US currency. Currency is the motivating factor in this dispute.

[robblok]

16 minutes ago, halloween said:

 

As "In God We Trust" printed on US currency. Currency is the motivating factor in this dispute.

Yes looks a lot like its a rented crowd... they have nothing to win.. its the resort owners who are in the wrong and stand to lose their resorts. So they quite possible paid the Hmong.

[elgordo38]

6 hours ago, Alive said:

I just wonder what hypocrisy is going on up there. Are they knocking some down while letting other resorts or homes stay because they have connections to special people? Thailand is the home of the fountain of hypocrisy.

It rewards those that are in the knows column while making an example of the "out of favor" people. I am sure it destroys a lot of the Hmong people's tourist income which to them might be the bigger loss than the land and less work and more to be relied on in this drought stricken environment.  

[elgordo38]

4 hours ago, smedly said:

and making things up and posting it here hardly adds value to any discussion, these people decided to erect buildings and structures on land that did not belong to them and were they cannot show legal doccuments that allowed them to do so, what else do you expect authorities to do - just ignore it - well yes it has been ignored for decades

 

Thais in some way remind me of gypsies the difference being that encroachment here is an epidemic soaked in backhanders and corruption were officials are filling their pockets through corruption, my only complaint is that not enough is being done to punish those officials involved but it is so widespread it is almost and impossible task

 

encroachment is happening all over Thailand and already many heavy hitters have (people with connections) have been given their marching orders and in some cases criminal convictions

People with connections have been given their marching orders AND criminal convictions. I sure would like to see some documentation of that. That would show me that the saying "give me 40 acres and I'll turn this rig around" might have some meaning when applied to this case. C&C go together connections and corruption and never the twain will detach. 

[billd766]

Be kind, be gentle be firm. Go back there with prison buses and explain the the structures are illegal and those who are blocking the way must be arrested and if necessary physically be carried to the prison bus and be given water and food if necessary. If anyone assaults the police or the army arrest them too and put them into a different bus.

 

If there are vehicles blocking the way, politely ask 2 times for them to be moved. If nobody moves them on the 3rd time of asking then use a bulldozer to shift them, After 3 or 4 vehicles are wrecked they will move.

 

Demand that the resort owners turn up to the site with ALL their documents (if any) copy the documents and give the owners a copy that they must sign for and keep the originals.

 

If no owner turns up then knock the building and its contents down. If the owners do turn up charge them with illegal occupation and fine them for the total cost of the operation.

 

But please, authorities. DO IT NOW, today, this week and not give up just because people protest.

[Graemej100]

8 hours ago, canopy said:

It's a shame they allowed the hill tribes and lower class Thai's to completely ruin this mountain before lifting a finger which they have now retracted after the protest, sigh. They aren't demolishing anyone's homes; they just want to rid the mountain of the illegal businesses. Living among hill tribes in this area I find them one of the most destructive forces against nature. It's a strange revelation as we are taught how they are living in harmony with nature when in fact all they do is ruthlessly exploit and ruin all reachable land, flora, and fauna that isn't theirs out of greed.

 

 

The problems go much deeper than that. I imagine, from the pompous tone of your post, you are  from one the groups that pray (excuse the pun) on the hill-tribes, not just the Hmong, in the hope of converting them to that most violent of all religions - Christianity. You should know that the hill tribes have no status in Thailand. They receive no benefits. Their children, after the age of primary school, are not entitled to any education.  The cost of doctors and medicine for them is exorbitant. They are harassed by the police and army. They are, literally, stateless. They only exist. What the hell are they supposed to do to live? Pray to Jesus? They do what they have to. Greed you say? Have you ever seen a rich Hmong, or Lisu or Lahu or Akha? The only rich ones are the drug mules who bring the yaa baa - and 'rich' being a relative word - and who do it in desperation. 'Hill tribes and lower class Thais'. Humbug. If the lower classes bother you why are you living up there? Go and live with the middle-class Thais in Bangkok.

[ratcatcher]

1 hour ago, Graemej100 said:

The problems go much deeper than that. I imagine, from the pompous tone of your post, you are  from one the groups that pray (excuse the pun) on the hill-tribes, not just the Hmong, in the hope of converting them to that most violent of all religions - Christianity. You should know that the hill tribes have no status in Thailand. They receive no benefits. Their children, after the age of primary school, are not entitled to any education.  The cost of doctors and medicine for them is exorbitant. They are harassed by the police and army. They are, literally, stateless. They only exist. What the hell are they supposed to do to live? Pray to Jesus? They do what they have to. Greed you say? Have you ever seen a rich Hmong, or Lisu or Lahu or Akha? The only rich ones are the drug mules who bring the yaa baa - and 'rich' being a relative word - and who do it in desperation. 'Hill tribes and lower class Thais'. Humbug. If the lower classes bother you why are you living up there? Go and live with the middle-class Thais in Bangkok.

 

 

Perhaps the Hmong have been told this.................

[SOTIRIOS]

...how pathetic....

[bangrak]

I guess the hilltribes' men behind this 'protest' are afraid to lose the fat rent they were cashing on the land (they should not have been renting out in the first place, but, probably, some rotten officials and 'investors' showed them the way?) while sitting on their lazy ass, instead of working the land for agricultural production, as it was intended to... Nothing new in itself, sadly, 'corruption' is of all levels of society, and, the smaller/lower you sit, the more dependent you might get of it. This is even more of a shame considering the traditions and pride of the (former?) beautiful Hmong tribe! Money...

[anotheruser]

6 hours ago, billd766 said:

Be kind, be gentle be firm. Go back there with prison buses and explain the the structures are illegal and those who are blocking the way must be arrested and if necessary physically be carried to the prison bus and be given water and food if necessary. If anyone assaults the police or the army arrest them too and put them into a different bus.

 

If there are vehicles blocking the way, politely ask 2 times for them to be moved. If nobody moves them on the 3rd time of asking then use a bulldozer to shift them, After 3 or 4 vehicles are wrecked they will move.

 

Demand that the resort owners turn up to the site with ALL their documents (if any) copy the documents and give the owners a copy that they must sign for and keep the originals.

 

If no owner turns up then knock the building and its contents down. If the owners do turn up charge them with illegal occupation and fine them for the total cost of the operation.

 

But please, authorities. DO IT NOW, today, this week and not give up just because people protest.

 

There would be less explanation needed if they use rubber bullets. 

[Johpa]

5 hours ago, Graemej100 said:

The problems go much deeper than that. I imagine, from the pompous tone of your post, you are  from one the groups that pray (excuse the pun) on the hill-tribes, not just the Hmong, in the hope of converting them to that most violent of all religions - Christianity. You should know that the hill tribes have no status in Thailand. They receive no benefits. Their children, after the age of primary school, are not entitled to any education.  The cost of doctors and medicine for them is exorbitant. They are harassed by the police and army. They are, literally, stateless. They only exist. What the hell are they supposed to do to live? Pray to Jesus? They do what they have to. Greed you say? Have you ever seen a rich Hmong, or Lisu or Lahu or Akha? The only rich ones are the drug mules who bring the yaa baa - and 'rich' being a relative word - and who do it in desperation. 'Hill tribes and lower class Thais'. Humbug. If the lower classes bother you why are you living up there? Go and live with the middle-class Thais in Bangkok.

 

I agree that the earlier poster was rather pompous, but you are out of touch with the more modern reality.  Many, many highland people now have Thai citizenship. Yes, their ID cards are coded and they do face discrimination from the Bangkok folks, especially from the Sino-Thais. But they do receive education and health benefits. The problem is that they tend to live far away from services. Some of the more remote villages still have schools operated by the Border Patrol (BPP) and only have access to clinics staffed by medics and not doctors, the hospital being a long drive away.  Both the BPP and the army provide some services and for the large part are looked upon positively although on occasion they do the bidding of "influential people" and minority populations face relocation. The disappearance of the Karen activist Porlajee "Billy" Rakchongchaeron remains one of many blots on the Kingdom.  But just the other week, when that helicopter went down by Doi Inthanon, social media was filled with condolences by the largely Karen population in that region who knew the general as a friend.  As for wealthy Mong I know plenty. I know of no group that, on average, works harder than the Mong people.  Although they don't often display their wealth in the same manner as westerners, there are many doing very well thank you.  Maybe take a trip up to the area around Mon Jaem (Nong Hoi and Nong Hoi Mai) northwest of Chiang Mai city or the larger Mong villages in the area around the Sunflower region northeast of Khun Yuam to find Mong living quite comfortably.  The question of the Christian missionaries is more complex and there are some really bad apples out there.  But visit Payap University and you will find many kids from highland backgrounds getting a college education.  You might even meet the head of the International program at Payap who happens to be Karen.  You will also find many hilltribe kids at the other colleges in the Chiang Mai area.  But yes, there still needs to be more work done, especially among the Lahu and Akha.  But things have improved over the past several decades since I first began socializing with the highland folks.

[canopy]

My post is not pompous at all, but rather an honest assessment from someone who has observed what's going on in the area for years.  And sorry to dispel another of your conspiracy theories, but I have no involvement with Christianity, NGO's, or otherwise "converting" anyone to anything else. I understand some people don't like to hear the truth, but I'll repeat: I see endless clear cut cases of the poor, working class, and hilltribes wrecking the place out of greed for their own personal gain. Here is an idea: try to accept the truth and learn even if it differs from your knowledge rather than attack the messenger. Might do some of you some good.

 

[Johpa]

1 hour ago, canopy said:

My post is not pompous at all, but rather an honest assessment from someone who has observed what's going on in the area for years.  And sorry to dispel another of your conspiracy theories, but I have no involvement with Christianity, NGO's, or otherwise "converting" anyone to anything else. I understand some people don't like to hear the truth, but I'll repeat: I see endless clear cut cases of the poor, working class, and hilltribes wrecking the place out of greed for their own personal gain. Here is an idea: try to accept the truth and learn even if it differs from your knowledge rather than attack the messenger. Might do some of you some good.

 

 

Perhaps pompous is far too polite for one who would describe as "greedy" the poor and the subsistence farmers. You want to lay some blame on wrecking the place up in the hills look no further than the CP Group which encourages and facilitates the destruction of the environment to feed its pig production facilities and then exports its profits to be invested in China.

[joeyg]

Not sure it's exactly on point but this article made my heart go out to the Hmong people... http://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/thousands-still-risk-torture-helping-u-s-vietnam-war-n181436

[canopy]

4 hours ago, Johpa said:

 

Perhaps pompous is far too polite for one who would describe as "greedy" the poor and the subsistence farmers. You want to lay some blame on wrecking the place up in the hills look no further than the CP Group which encourages and facilitates the destruction of the environment to feed its pig production facilities and then exports its profits to be invested in China.

 

Again, just because one doesn't like the truth is not a rational reason to be demeaning to the messenger. No one forced these people to illegally build and it was not necessary for their survival. That's called greed. And yes, the people doing this are actually poor and hill tribes. And don't even try changing the subject to the CP group to try to weasel out of this. This subject is about illegal resorts on a mountain in Phetchabun which is where I happen to live.

 

Edited August 23, 2016 by canopy