The claims to plots within the indigenous community date back years, say third-hand reports, but nowhere near as far back as the “at-least-century-old claim” by the sea gypsies, which the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) itself confirmed two years ago through DNA testing of a sea gypsy skeleton literally buried in the land being claimed, at that time, by another party.
Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos reported that the claimant, Baron World Trade Co, had “legitimate titles” to the land, while he called for a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
However, that does not discount exactly why the claim has resurfaced. If the claimant has won an appeal in court, then why not just present the court order in the first place?
It would also serve the claimant well to step up and explain exactly how ownership of the land was acquired, especially on an island that has an international reputation for illegitimate land titles up for grabs wherever one would like – at the right price.
Also, if such investors believe that a private claim to private land is private business, they are sorely mistaken. This particular claim involves the forced relocation of people indigenous to Phuket, and “forced relocation of indigenous people” is a catchphrase that recalls some of the darkest chapters in mankind’s history.
The fact the sea gypsies do not have documents issued to prove the heritage to the land they live on is nothing more the bureaucratic twaddle. How could they? Short memories and poorly educated stiffs in uniforms are unlikely to remember that Phuket’s sea gypsies barely 15 years ago were issued ID cards by the Royal Thai Government specifically stating that they were not Thai citizens.
To be fair, the sea gypsy community has grown over the century-plus years since recognised settlement – but The Phuket News has yet to learn of a single bona fide land title issued for Rawai 100 years ago.
Transparency is key in resolving this dispute, and without irrefutable claim to the land disputed, the doubt must be given to those rare few in Phuket with a birthright to the land they live on.