Sea gypsies get some powerful help

The DSI says evidence gathered so far supports the claims of 2,000 sea gypsies to Phuket beach land now under the control of developers.

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DSI insists on sea gypsies' rights on Phuket beach

Achadtaya Chuenniran

A senior official of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) says that about 2,000 sea gypsies have the right to live on 33 rai of land on Rawai beach in Phuket and that the department is gathering evidence to support their claim.

Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongseenin, director of the DSI's Bureau of Consumer Protection and Environment Crime, said in Phuket that evidence showed that three land title deeds had been illegally issued in the area where sea gypsies had lived for generations.

The land rights documents had been issued over 60 years ago but sea gypsies had lost legal disputes over the land because they did not have official evidence and did not know how to acquire it. Even the DSI had to seek help from experts in many fields, he said.

The dispute escalated this week with clashes between the sea gypsies and workers attempting to clear the site for a property development. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Friday ordered the army to step in to maintain order.

Pol Lt Col Prawut: DSI sought expert help to gather evidence.

Pol Lt Col Prawut said that sea gypsies had lived in the area for a century and the bones of their ancestors buried there were evidence because the people traditionally buried bodies near their houses.

He sought a court order to assign archaeologists from the Fine Arts Department to examine the bones.

Another important piece of evidence comes from the Wat Sawang Arom School. Ten sea gypsies who had studied there are still alive and they bear surnames bestowed by HRH the late Princess Mother, Pol Lt Col Prawut said.

"I believe that what we have found for sea gypsies to present to the court will help them reclaim their rights," he said.

The DSI had similarly helped sea gypsies in other areas including Phangnga province, as well as Lipe and Phi Phi islands, Pol Lt Col Prawut said.

Baron World Trade Co, claiming to have legally obtained the land's title deeds, is developing villas on the plot. Construction work started on Tuesday, leading to a protest and eventually a confrontation and attacks on sea gypsies on Wednesday.

Negotiations are now planned at the site and representatives of the National Human Rights Commission will visit the area next Tuesday.

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