KRABI, Thailand – The Ministry of Culture, led by Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol, has inaugurated the Ethnic Life Protection Zone for the Urak Lawoi sea gypsy community in Ko Lanta district, Krabi province. Organized in collaboration with the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Center, the Krabi Provincial Cultural Office, and ethnic organizations, the event drew over 500 participants, including representatives from government agencies, private sectors, and local communities. The community, known as Toh Ba Liu, is now designated as the 24th Ethnic Life Protection Zone in Thailand, committed to preserving cultural heritage and promoting sustainable resource management.
Ethnic Life Protection Zones are established to protect the rights of traditional communities, ensuring their connection to land, resources, and cultural practices while supporting sustainable livelihoods. This Urak Lawoi village, known for artisanal fishing and its reliance on mangrove ecosystems, has maintained cultural traditions such as the Rong Ngeng dance and Loy Ruea ceremony, which remain fundamental to their identity and way of life.
Minister Sudawan referenced the Ethnic Life Protection and Promotion Act, approved in principle by the House of Representatives in February 2024, as a key step toward safeguarding the cultural and economic rights of ethnic groups. The community demonstrates these efforts by integrating traditional knowledge with sustainable practices to preserve resources and improve the community’s quality of life.
The Ministry of Culture views the establishment of such zones as essential for balancing cultural preservation with environmental sustainability. The government, through partnerships with communities such as Toh Ba Liu, continues its long-standing efforts to protect Thailand’s diverse heritage, leveraging it as a foundation for sustainable national development. (NNT)
