[O3-17]
Redefining and be preparing for disasters: the lessons from the Moken sea nomads of Thailand

[O3-17-01] Redefining and be preparing for disasters: the lessons from the Moken sea nomads of Thailand

*Narumon Arunotai¹ (1. Research Unit on Indigenous Peoples and Alternative Development, Social Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University, )

Keywords:Moken, Seas nomads, Surin Islands, disaster, relief

Prior to the Indian Ocean tsunami “disaster” of 2004, the Moken sea nomads of Thailand were practically invisible to the Thai public as well as the world. Yet the fact that one village on the Surin Islands in Phang-nga Province survived the incident despite their village being totally destroyed made them visible almost overnight. Recovery was also quick, as they did not have many material possessions and the huts were rebuilt within 3 weeks. In 2019, another “disaster” struck again, this time in the form of village fire, and again, 61 out of 80 huts were destroyed while all villagers escaped safely. Rebuilding huts was quickly done with the help and donation from outside the community. This presentation will trace the Moken’s definition and interpretation of “disasters” and make the analysis of the lessons to be learned from the two incidents and possible ways of thinking about “disasters.” In addition, the presentation will problematize how the “relief” and “recovery” is perceived by the Moken and those outsiders who meant well and who tried to help facilitating the relief and recovery.