Koh Surin Fire Disaster update Day 3

Moken village fire 2019

There has been an impressive national response to immediate fire disaster relief. Many different parties organized to help to the Moken people on Surin, who lost all their possessions after the fire and were left with only the clothing they wore that evening on February 3rd.

The Thai Navy as well as the Mu Koh Surin National Park, who are both based around the Surin Islands provided for immediate needs and have been serving meals to the Moken since. The district and provincial government officials went to Surin and organized provisions from the mainland with help from tour companies normally accustomed to bringing tourists for day trips into the national park. Many individuals spread the news via social media and within two days the Moken had already received an excess of clothing donations.

Moken village fire 2019

The night of the fire many of the Moken stayed at the National Park Headquaters, but have since moved to stay on the fringes of their former village. The Moken stay in tents, the school building, and the remaining 15 houses that did not burn down. Many, however, just sleep under the stars at the beach, preferring this to tents.

Moken village fire 2019

Government officials have committed to providing financial assistance to every family for their lost houses. At the moment a village plan is being drafted that upon completion will be shown to the head of the village, Ngui (Tawan Klathale), for revision. If the Moken agree to the plan, then the houses will be built accordingly and material will be purchased by the government.

Moken village fire 2019

The question remains what happens if the newly drafted village plan doesn’t reflect the interest of the Moken? Will they be able to voice their needs and interest? The discussion at hand is about how much space they are able to use. In the old days the location of the village would change from bay to bay every year, and historically, there were often two Moken villages on the islands. To what degree can the Moken hope to regain some of their historical rights?

Moken village fire 2019

The question remains what happens if the newly drafted village plan doesn’t reflect the interest of the Moken? Will they be able to voice their needs and interest? The discussion at hand is about how much space they are able to use. In the old days the location of the village would change from bay to bay every year, and historically, there were often two Moken villages on the islands. To what degree can the Moken hope to regain some of their historical rights?

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