However, their solution to the problem is that the government buy the land from them and develop it to make a more modern living area for the sea gypsies.
The group, who claim to own 19 rai of land where the sea gypsies live, and representatives from Baron World Trade Co Ltd who claim to own the disputed 33 rai of land held a press conference at a Phuket hotel yesterday (Feb 11).
One of the 10 land owners, Satien Mukdee said, “The sea gypsies have encroached on land owned by us which has been passed down by our ancestors. We learned from our grandparents that sea gypsies were nomads, they moved from island to island.
“At some point, some of the sea gypsies came here and asked my grandfather, Tan Mukdee, for a place to stay. He agreed to let four or five families live on his land so long as they worked from him on his coconut plantation.
“People need to know about our story. They shouldn’t only listen to the villagers,” he said.
“If you ask the elderly people of Rawai, they will tell you where the sea gypsies came from. The on going dispute and lack of information about Rawai people lets many people believe that we bullying the sea gypsies which is not true.
“This land dispute is no longer a local issue, it is a national one and the government must intervene. We insist the government buy our land and set up a community for the sea gypsies.
“Today the villagers are living in a poor condition, 300 families, or 2000 people, are crammed in a small area. I want social justice for us all,” he added.
Kittiya Sa-ngaemkul who owns two rai of land in the area said, “There are five people who own 19 rai of land that the sea gypsies live on. This land issue has caused so much stress to us. We cannot develop the land even though we have legal land titles.
“Justice must be served, we have been battling this issue in court for so long and only now is it under investigation,” he said.
“However, to put an end to this problem, all five land owners propose to sell 19 rai of land to the government so they can develop into a community and tourist destination. This way the sea gypsies will have a place to live and also earn a living.” she added.
Baron World Trade Co Ltd representatives Chana Chowna said that Baron World own 33 rai next to the land that the sea gypsies have occupied.
“The problem we are facing today is the sidewalk on public land and the location of the sea gypsies’ place of worship.
“Baron World are the fourth owners of the disputed land and it was bought legally. We did not issue the land document ourselves. We wanted to develop the land into resort for the area, but since this problem arose that idea has been put on hold.
“The sea gypsies always blame us for this land dispute, and in addition, some government agencies back their claims without seeking the truth or asking us,” he said.
“Right now, the owners of the 19 rai and Baron World Trade are gathering all documents regarding the land ready to present to court and the Prime Minister.
“We want officials to look into the National Human Rights Commission’s role in this dispute because they have never questioned the Land Office about allegations that the land was obtained illegally.
“Officials must probe the Land Office about the issuing of the Chanotes if they suspected they have been issued illegally. They must also investigate all departments involved in the the process of upgrading the land tiles,” said Mr Chana.
Meanwhile, about 200 sea gypsies, led by Niran Yongpan, gathered in front of Provincial Hall asking to see the Phuket Governor and demanding answers to the land dispute, including the walkway and their place of worship.
They also want to know what officials have done about the violent confrontation between the sea gypsies and representatives of Baron World on January 27.
Mr Niran said, “The land dispute escalated into violence last time and many people were injured.
“Gov Chamroen set up a committee on February 2 to find a way to solve the issue and said it would be resolved within seven days which is today (Feb 11). And that is why we are here.
“We want answers to the dispute and an investigation into the group of army that came to protect the land developers on January 25 and the group of teenagers that assaulted the villagers on January 27.
“We want to know whether they will be questioned and punished according to law,” he said.