Campaign launched to preserve Phuket sea gypsy culture

PHUKET: Plans are afoot at a local-government level to improve living conditions and enhance opportunities for the Phuket sea-gypsy community.

“We will start working on Phuket sea gypsy communities at Baan Hin Luk Diao and Baan Laem Lah in Thalang on September 5. These are the first areas we will address,” Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut said on Friday.

He was speaking after a meeting on enhancing the gypsies’ quality of life, held at Phuket Provincial Hall.

“We must give a greater priority to the quality of life for Phuket sea gypsies. It is time to take action to develop their lives, in terms improved health and in other areas,” Governor Maitri said.

“We will take care of their health and create career and job opportunities for them, which can be developed from their folk wisdom,” he said.

Ilyat Koshasawat, director of the Phuket Skill Development Center, told the Phuket Gazette, ” We have to create a sustainable Phuket sea gypsy community, and that means providing opportunities and improving lives and looking to the community’s future.

“This future will have to come from their folk wisdom drawn from ancient times. It will not be necessary to change their lifestyle or culture,” Mr Ilyat assured.

— Irfarn Jamdukor