Pol Lt Col Prawut Wongseenin, chief of the DSI's Bureau of Consumer Protection and Environment Crime, reiterated his office’s stance on the dispute at a press conference yesterday (Jan 29) held at the Channel 11 TV station in Phuket.
The DSI in July and October of 2014 had previously cited DNA and aerial photography evidence to legitimize sea gypsies’ claims to the disputed land (stories here and here).
However, since then developers had continued to “pick a bone” with sea gypsies over the land, the dispute returning abruptly to the public eye again when clashes erupted between the two factions this past week, prompting intervention from the local military and government.
It has been estimated that the sea gypsies involved in ongoing eviction disputes number about 2,000 residents in 300 households. Developers are looking to develop villas on plots of land which carry three Chanote land titles, previously upgraded from SorKor 1 titles.
Pol Lt Col Prawut yesterday (Jan 29) reiterated 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, he said.
Even the DSI had to seek help from experts in many fields, he added.
The dispute escalated this past 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 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, where he pointed out that ten sea gypsies who had studied there – and who bear surnames bestowed by HRH the late Princess Mother – are still alive, Pol Lt Col Prawut said.
Moreover, he pointed out that one of the Chanode titles was fraudently issued on the basis of boats being anchored in the same place over decades and coconut trees being planted no less than 30 years ago; however, based on aerial photography, said coconut trees had been there no less than 10 years and thus said claim was fraudelent.
"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 Phang Nga 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.
Additional reporting from The Bangkok Post (story here)