Pandemic brings relief to Thailand's 'people of the sea'

Sanan Changnam is fishing in Phuket, Thailand. He is a member of the Chao Lay or 'people of the sea'. Tourism usually causes the Chao Lay a lot of problems.

But life has been easier for the 'people of the sea' since the pandemic started. There are more fish. And tourist building projects have stopped.

For these Chao Lay, this area is their homeland. They came to Thailand from Indonesia 300 years ago. This was before Phuket became one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand.

In the Chao Lay religion, everything is alive. The beach is very important for the Chao Lay's beliefs. Chao Lay are often buried on the beach. They come to the beach to pray. They also keep their boats here.

But the land is owned by tourism promoters who want the Chao Lay to leave. The Chao Lay did not understand that they could own the land because they do not read or write.

The Thai government has now stepped in. It is helping the Chao Lay to register the land. One idea is that the government might buy the land. Then, they can give it away to the Chao Lay.

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