Phuket sea gypsies agree to vacate tin-shack homes

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Phuket sea gypsies agree to vacate tin-shack homes

Eakkapop Thongtub

 

The two sea sypsy families will vacate their tin-shack homes. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

 

PHUKET: -- After losing a seven-year legal battle, two sea gypsy families will vacate their tin-clad shacks at the sea gypsy village in Rawai so their homes can be demolished by court order.

 

The news came at Phuket Provincial Court on Monday (May 8) when sea gypsy Arnan Bangjak announced that he and his brother Mahren will be vacating their rented plots in accordance with a Supreme Court order issued last year.

 

Accompanying Mr Arnan on Monday was lawyer Pasit Thavornlamlert, who assisted the sea gypsies with their legal battle.

 

“The Civil Court, Appeal Court and Supreme Court all approved the demolitions, but none of the courts gave a date for the demolitions,” Mr Pasit said.

 

“Now that the defendants have agreed to leave their homes, the court has ordered that the surety held against them be returned. The court also ordered that the defendants are not allowed to touch the houses. The defendants have now accepted the order.” he added.

 

The court-brokered agreement for Mr Arnan and Mr Mahren to vacate the plots in the heart of the sea gypsy village on Monday followed the Supreme Court on Oct 16 last year upholding previous rulings to demolish the two tin shacks, which serves as homes for dozens of sea gypsies.

 

The long-running legal battle began in 2009 when brother Suthep and Thawee Mookdee filed an action to Phuket Privincial Court against Mr Arnan and Mr Mahren.

 

On March 23, 2012, the Phuket Court ordered that the defendants move out from their two houses and that the tin homes be demolished.

 

The court also ordered Mr Mahren and Mr Arnan to pay B3,000 each in damages, with an additional B1,000 each per month for illegally occupying the premises. They were also ordered to pay B5,000 for the plaintiffs’ legal fees.

 

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-sea-gypsies-agree-to-vacate-tin-shack-homes-62135.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2017-05-12

[Old Croc]

It's all too easy for people to side with the downtrodden Sea gypsies in cases like this, but I feel for the genuine owners of the land who lost the use, and income, from their property many years ago. When I drove past there a while back, that area in particular,  looked like a rubbish dump with all the refuse the locals tossed aside without compunction. 

Later pictures taken when the dispute came to court indicated some one had cleaned it up somewhat.

I would guess the landowners will likely never get the costs granted by the court.

 

"However, despite his reclamation of his own land in the sea gypsy village, Mr Suthep called for officials to help the Rawai sea gypsies in their plight.

He urged them to survey the number of sea gypsies living in the village and to build affordable apartments for them to rent."  -  Phuket News.

 

I agree with Mr Suthep that the numbers and needs of the Gypsies should be examined with the plan of providing them with suitable living alternatives. The population there has far exceeded their traditional land area and they will continue to try to expand on to neighboring properties.