|
Page added 300808 |
|
Moken forced to move from
their Phangnga homes
Four years ago when the Boxing Day tsunami
hit Thailand’s Andaman coastal provinces, the Moken sea gypsies in
Phangnga province suffered severe devastation. But now they are facing
another crisis as they are being forced to move off the land where they
have been living for a hundred years. We have more details in this
report from Thai News Agency.
Moken sea gypsy Mongkol Harntalae and his 12-year-old son usually go
fishing out at sea to make a living.
38-year-old Mongkol says he was born and has grown up in the TapTawan
village in the Andaman province of Phangnga. He says his ancestors of
many generations also lived in this village and he would later inherit
the land from them.
Mongkol Harntalae, a Moken sea gypsy said “I’ve here since I was born.
Now I have three daughters already.”
Having just recovered emotionally from the tsunami which swept away
their habitat and livelihoods on December 26, 2004, the Moken sea
gypsies at TapTawan village might soon become homeless again. They are
now being forced to leave the land they have lived on for many
generations by businessmen who abruptly claim they have legal possession
of the land.
The businessmen claim they have the Nor. Sor. 3 land title issued by the
government in 1972 and that the disputed land was invaded by the Moken
after the tsunami. 27 Mokens are now being charged of having intruded on
to land which has legal owners. They deny the charge.
Larp Harntalae, a Moken sea gypsy said “They force us to leave our
homes. We don’t know where to go. We have lived and made a living here
for a long time. We’d rather die here than move out.”
Recently a court withheld the witness investigation and interceded
between those who claim they own the land and the Mokens, to find an
acceptable solution for both parties. But the talks have failed as the
Mokens insist they’ll stay in their homeland. They have urged the
concerned authorities to investigate whether the Nor.Sor. 3 granting
process was done legitimately and transparently.
|
|
Photo courtesy of
www.rememberthewater.com |
|
|
