Military security personnel were called in after workers blocked off the sea gypsies’ access to a sacred site, leading to violent clashes with the villagers. (See story here.)
The dispute forced Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada to call high-level meeting on Tuesday (Feb 2), at which a provincial committee headed by Dr Prajiad was tasked with creating a the public pathway as part of the attempts to resolve the impasse. (See story here.)
Gov Chamroen gave Dr Prajiad seven days to have the public pathway installed, for which he ordered that a NorSorLor land document be issued to affirm that the pathway is on public land.
“Meanwhile, we have asked the developer Baron World Trade Co Ltd to give the villagers access to the area without being accused of trespassing until the survey is completed. In the future, whether the villagers will use the new route or not is up to them,” he said.