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

In Thailand, the Chao Lay are experiencing an unexpected benefit of the coronavirus pandemic: a break from the threats of mass tourism.

With real estate projects on the tourist hotspot of Phuket suspended during the pandemic and an abundance of fish returning to the shore, life is more straightforward for Sanan Changnam and his people.

The Chao Lay, or 'people of the sea', consider this area to be their ancestral land. Formerly a nomadic seafaring tribe, their ancestors first arrived from Indonesia 300 years ago, long before Phuket became one of Thailand's top tourist destinations.

The beach is at the heart of life for the Chao Lay. It is here where they keep their boats and lay their dead to rest. Believing everything is alive, the Chao Lay can often be found on the beach in prayer to their ancestors.

As most Chao Lay haven't acquired literacy skills, and were unaware they could register the land in their name, tourism promoters have been pressuring them to vacate the beach.

Now recognising the Chao Lay's plight, the Thai government has begun defending their culturally important lands, assisting them in establishing their legal claim. One proposed solution is for the authorities to purchase the land and entrust it to the Chao Lay permanently.

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