Pandemic brings relief to Chao Lay - 25 November 2020

For Thailand's Chao Lay or 'people of the sea' the coronavirus pandemic has brought some relief from tourism.

Since the pandemic began, life has been less difficult for Sanan Changnam and his people. There's plenty of fish, and construction projects around the tourist destination of Phuket have stopped.

The Chao Lay were once nomads and travelled from place to place. But 300 years ago, they left Indonesia for the island of Phuket, which they believe to be the land of their ancestors. Back then, Phuket was far from the tourist hotspot it is today.

The Chao Lay believe everything is alive and the beach plays a vital role in their culture. It is where they come to pray to their ancestors, many of whom are buried on the beach. It is also where their boats are kept.

As the Chao Lay are unable to read or write, they didn't realise that they could register this land in their name. They have been under a lot of pressure from tour operators to leave the beach.

The Thai government has now recognised the cultural importance of the Chao Lay. It is helping the Chao Lay make a claim to the land. One solution is that the government buy the land and donate it to the Chao Lay permanently.