Phuket Court threw out the case against Aew Hadsaithong, Woranan Hadsaithong, Bancha Hadsaithong and Nirun Yangparn, members of a sea-gypsy group in Phuket’s Rawai area

“The court has examined several pieces of evidence including the pictures of the late monarch, which took place in 1959. Included in the pictures are coconut trees, which the plaintiffs claim are just 10 years old,” Nirun said.

Experts have also confirmed that the coconut trees must be at least three decades old. The pictures also showed local residents gathering to welcome the late monarch.

About 100 sea-gypsy residents gathered at the court yesterday to show their support for the defendants, who have insisted that they have lived on the disputed plot of land for several generations. Many cried tears of joy when they heard the verdict.

“I am glad that the court has recognised the history and culture of sea gypsies,” Nirun said.

He said on December 13 last year, the court had also acquitted two defendants in another land-encroachment case based on convincing evidence that their families had lived on the disputed land before land-rights documents were issued for the Mukdee family.

The Mukdee family has land-rights documents, which were issued for 12-rai (1.9-hectare) plots of land in Phuket’s Rawai area in 1955.

The family has sued 117 sea-gypsy residents for allegedly encroaching on the land and asked the court to issue an eviction order.

The court has previously ruled on several such cases with some defendants having been told to vacate and six defendants acquitted to date. Many other cases are pending.

Somsri Damrongkaset, 60, said defendants who had lost their cases were long-time residents but they did not know how to prepare evidence to defend themselves.

Nirun said he defended his case with the help of the Department of Special Investigation (DSI).

“The DSI has helped with evidence preparation free of charge,” he said.

The DSI presented aerial pictures, results of DNA tests that showed links between bones buried on the disputed plot and current sea-gypsy residents, old pictures and a student registry.

The first student registry book of the Wat Sawang Arom School was made in 1954, before the issuance of land-rights documents for the Mukdee family.

Evidence spanning decades

Key evidence in support of sea-gypsy defendants’ claim that

they are not encroachers:

– Pictures of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej visiting their hometown in 1959, which shows coconut trees and residents.

– Coconut trees are several decades old, not just 10 years old, as claimed by plaintiffs.

– Aerial pictures.

– Results of DNA tests that show the link between bones buried on the disputed plot and local residents.

– 1954 student registry book at a local school, which includes children from local gypsy families.

But before rushing to consider what the best approach is to bring harmony, we need to pause and think again about whether the scheme will be helpful, and to whom, and perhaps whether we need it at all.

With a politically eventful 2016 behind us, everything seemed to be falling into place for the finale of undemocratic rule. The main focus of politics in the year ahead was to pass organic laws and organise the first election since 2011.

But the limelight suddenly shifted dramatically as chief coup-maker and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha unveiled a new scheme he said he had cooked up over the New Year holiday. Designed to finally achieve reform and reconciliation, the scheme has become a focal point for key government policies as well as news coverage.

However, given its scale and complexity, it has arrived on the scene rather late, with the regime set to step down in roughly a year’s time. So why is it being put forward now, just as we hit the final stretch of the political road map?

One interpretation is that the scheme is actually designed to champion the junta’s interests. In truth, however, it remains too early to tell what exactly the regime is trying to achieve with this late reform and reconciliation push. Will it be exploited to create conditions that will enable the authorities to justify postponement of an election? That question can’t be answered until the long process of opinion gathering and peace talks fully unfolds. And that could take months.

Another explanation is that the junta is simply trying to keep its promise of positive change and restoration of harmony before the transition back to civilian rule. Though a slew of committees and working groups had already been launched to serve that purpose, the elaborate structure of the new reform and reconciliation scheme could help facilitate and accelerate the process. According to this explanation, the scheme is solely aimed at serving the public interest.

But questions still remain over whether this latest push is what the public truly needs. Is it instead perhaps the case that we have become so haunted by political violence and conflict that we mistakenly believe harmonious coexistence can only be achieved through complex plans?

The words harmony and reconciliation have been repeated again and again over the past decade, taking on a tantalising but always elusive appeal. But if we pause to consider, perhaps everything just comes down to simple mutual toleration, respect for the law and justice.

If we lack those three keys, no amount of “agreements of truth” will ensure peace in society. Can we count on people to abide by such agreements when the country’s supreme law – the constitution – is constantly flouted and even torn up?

Its decision came on the same day as the man at the centre of the scandal, Intellectual Property Department deputy director-general Suphat Saquandeekul, tendered his resignation and made a public apology, saying he wanted to take responsibility for his actions.

Permanent Secretary for Commerce Wiboonlasana Ruam-raksa said the fact-finding committee concluded that Suphat’s theft from a Kyoto hotel last week had severely damaged the image of Thai government officials and the people.

The ministry will now set up a joint committee, comprising representatives from the Justice and Commerce ministries and the Office of the Civil Service Commission to determine Suphat’s punishment.

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said the joint committee expected to conclude the investigation in a few days as it was not complicated. There were two options in terms of punishment – to dismiss him with or without getting a pension.

In Suphat’s statement, he said he was aware that, despite his resignation, he could not escape the Commerce Ministry’s procedures. “I will fully cooperate with the investigation and accept any disciplinary decision on me,” he said.

He admitted he stole three paintings worth 15,000 yen (Bt4,684) from the hotel, as reported by the media.

Suphat said he was very sorry that his acts had tarnished the reputation of his department, his ministry, Thai people and the country; therefore, he wished to apologise to the Commerce Minister, permanent secretary, all ministry executives, his colleagues and particularly Thais.

He also recounted the drink-fuelled circumstances that led to him stealing the paintings.

“I would like to explain what happened and I would like to point out that I don’t want to provide any excuse. I have done wrong and I must admit it, but I would like to ask for a chance to explain what happened that night,” Suphat said.

“After I finished my official mission to Japan, I had a chance to party with Japanese friends who were my classmates during my studies there. We had fun … and I drank too much and this caused me to lose my conscience. I then did what I should not have done.”

He said he had worked hard for 33 years and had a dream to retire in the post he loved, but he had also grown up and studied in Japan where people had to show responsibility for their deeds. As a result, he decided to resign to show responsibility for what he had done.

Thawip Netniyom, National Security Council (NSC) secretary general, said yesterday the issue would be discussed with his Lao counterpart at the Ministry of Public Security when he visits Vientiane in the near future.

Intelligence information indicated that five or six dissidents, mostly members of the Thai red-shirt opposition group, fled to Laos years ago during the hunt for members of the anti-junta group. Many of them are also wanted on lese majeste charges, Thawip said.

He added that dissidents did not live quietly in Laos but caused problems and criticised the junta via social media and Internet-based radio.

“I will hand information about their behaviour to the Lao minister of public security [Somkeo Silavong] when I meet him soon,” he said.

A 1999 Thailand-Laos treaty prohibits the extradition of people for a political offences or crimes that do not exist in the resident country.

Although insulting the monarchy is not a crime in Laos, Thawip said he would make the request on a reciprocity basis. “If Laos wants any fugitives who fled from prosecution to Thailand, we would arrest and hand them over in exchange [for Thai dissidents],” he said.

Since last year, the junta has asked for cooperation from neighbouring countries to extradite dissidents but has not made any official requests.

The anti-junta group that is living in exile in Laos was silenced briefly late last year after Prawit asked Vientiane authorities to gag them.

The government would also look into the proposals to see whether they go against its forest suppression policies, Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan.

The prime minister said one of the proposals is only an attempt to amend the existing National Park Act to better manage those claiming to have lived in the forests long before they are declared as protected areas.

They would be allowed to remain in the forests if proved to have lived there a long time without land deeds issued. New encroachers would definitely not be allowed, he said.

Prawit said the issue was not yet finished with and the government would look into the proposals to see whether they tie in with its policies.

The NRSA on Monday endorsed the 250-page report containing proposals for tackling forest encroachment and re-management of forest use in the country.

It has proposed new immediate measures under the National Council for Peace and Order chief’s Order No.66/2557 to tackle land-rights problems in forest areas, especially among the poor who have lived in the forests long and had rights overlapping with the state’s.

Under the proposal, the NRSA natural resources reform committee has proposed permission to continue the living on no more than 20 rai of plot and no longer than 20 years for those proved to have legitimate rights and who are not affecting the fragile ecosystem.

The committee also proposed amending the existing national parks legislation, which would result in assets found encroaching upon the forests being seized and subject to consideration for future uses by the department. This point has been criticised as creating a loophole for big investors to exploit.

Khwanchai Duangsathaporn, the committee’s spokesman, defended the proposals saying they are aimed at ending encroachment while protecting the forest by focusing on re-managing the forest areas.

He insisted that there would be no permission for big time encroachers, no matter how many years ago they had first encroached on the forests.

The amendment of the National Park Act, meanwhile, is aimed at improving outdated measures addressed in the legislation, which was first promulgated over 50 years ago, he said. It is clearly stated in the amendment that no private-sector concern will be allowed to run the seized properties, he said.

Damrong Pidech, former parks chief and committee member, said the public had misunderstood the committee’s proposals. He insisted that there would be no seized assets allowed for rental or concession by big investors or resort owners.

Panadda came out on top with assets outvaluing liabilities by Bt1.3 billion. Most of his declared properties were in form of estates in inner Bangkok’s Nang Loeng, Dusit and Bang Sue districts.

Justice Minister Suwapan Tanyuvardhana declared the smallest fortune, having a net worth of less than Bt26 million in assets cleared of liabilities. Besides bank deposits and real estate, some members of the fourth Cabinet under Prayut Chan-o-cha’s administration also declared interesting assets such as antiques and Buddha amulets.

Suwit Maesinsee, Minister of the Office of the Prime Minister, declared more than 130 antique items worth nearly Bt23 million, while his total assets were worth Bt73.4 million.

The antique items the minister declared included ancient ceramics and statues from the Sukhothai period, ancient scales, Khmer Shiva lingas, graven images and Chinese pillars. Newcomers in the latest Cabinet also declared assets worth more than Bt100 million.

Deputy commerce minister Sonthirat Sonthichirawong has assets worth Bt113 million with almost half, or nearly Bt50 million, in investments.

Sonthirat also showed he had 68 items of jewellery and Buddhist amulets, which combined were worth more than Bt60 million.

Among the items were rarities associated with Prasomdej Wat Kej-Chaiyo, Phra Nang Phaya Khao Ngor and Phra Sum Kor Kamphaeng Phet. Each of the rare amulets could reportedly be sold for six to seven-figure amounts on the open market.

Deputy agriculture and cooperatives minister Chutima Boonyaprapassorn had assets worth more than Bt240 million, with nearly Bt140 million in investments, including gold bar certificates, debentures worth Bt15 million and bills of exchange worth Bt10 million.

Deputy transport minister Pichit Akrathit and his spouse Thida had nearly Bt150 million in assets, most of which were in bank deposits and investment funds. Deputy foreign affair minister Virasak Futrakul showed Bt186 million in assets, with more than Bt110 million worth of land in Bangkok’s high-value districts such as Dusit, Phaya Thai and Phra Khanong.

Digital economy society minister Pichet Durongkaveroj, Science and Technology Minister Archaka Sriboonruang, Ormsin Chivaphruek of the PM’s Office and Education Minister Teerakiat CharoenSrettasilp had Bt83 million, Bt82 million, Bt68 million and Bt44 million in assets respectively.

Noted legal expert Kanit Na Nakorn said yesterday that he turned down the invitation as he considered that his duty with the TRCT was done. He is now busy teaching.

The former chairman said the commission had conducted an extensive study and came up with proposals for reconciliation, which have been published repeatedly and widely distributed. The public can find them easily, he said.

The government also has a number of other knowledgeable figures that it can invite, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday told reporters that the reconciliation committee he chairs would invite Kanit as well as noted social thinker Prawet Wasi to sit on the committee as its prime advisers, to help supervise and gather views from concerned parties.

The Deputy PM said he has studied their past work and agreed on almost all of the points, except for amnesty and justice delivery. He said his committee has not yet finished finalising the list of committee members and advisers but insisted that the views from all concerned would be gathered within three months.

Prawit said that at this point he has not yet officially invited any political parties to give views and he would not consider relaxing bans on political gatherings.

In a related development, chief charter drafter Meechai Ruchupan said the new bills on national strategy and on reforms are almost complete and will be forwarded to the government for consideration.

Meechai said the bills would lay out structures and procedures for the implementation of national strategy and reforms in the future. He insisted that the work of the new umbrella administrative committee on reform, reconciliation, and national strategy would not contradict the bills’ future implementation.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha last week invoked his power as chief of the National Council for Peace and Order to set up the umbrella committee, under which four panels, including Prawit’s, would expedite reform, reconciliation, national strategy, and boost administration strategically.

The bid is seen by several political observers as his renewed attempt to complete the work during his last year in office before passing it on to the next government. Much of the work, including reforms and national strategy, would also be framed in the new bills for the next government.

Prayut said yesterday the reconciliation committee should listen to political figures as part of the “agreement of truth” to be signed by all sides.

“I don’t expect the talks to be done at once,” Prayut said. “But they should keep talking until solutions are found. Don’t put so much pressure on us. We have timelines to work on.”

Aside from reconciliation, Prayut said the government would also focus on integration of all work and lay national strategies that will be adjusted every five years.