Urge long-timers not to sell to investors, so children can inherit

Koh Chang residents have quietly formed a group to protect natural resources on the island, which they say are threatened by the rapid changes that come with tourism development.

They are worried about changes of land ownership after residents sold their property to developers, who turned it into resorts and hotels. Only a few residents have refused to give up their property.

One is Sombat Salakpetch, 62, a native of Koh Chang. He works at his orchard covering more than 100 rai which he inherited from his parents. His ancestors settled on the island over 100 years ago.

"Salakpetch'' was taken from a rank bestowed on his ancestors by King Rama V during a visit to the island. A village canal and a waterfall were named after his family.

Sombat, also known as Grandpa Bat, said few people lived on the island during his childhood. Boats were the only mode of transport. The first road was built 30 years ago by soldiers. A few residents owned vehicles which they used to take crops to a pier.

"When a vehicle broke down the owner just dumped it for the only way to get spare parts, which were expensive, was to travel by boat for at least four hours to the mainland,'' he said.

Post On June 6, 2005