Deadly Clash Erupts During Land Protest in Krabi
KRABI – April 19, 2025 — A violent confrontation between landless villagers and oil palm plantation workers in Plai Phraya district turned deadly on Friday evening, leaving one man dead and two seriously injured.
Incident Overview:
- Approximately 20 villagers from Khao Chon sub-district attempted to stop a backhoe operated by the oil palm company, which was digging a trench to block villagers from entering the disputed 560-hectare land.
- The villagers claim:
- Half the land was originally owned by the Ao Luek cooperatives, now illegally claimed via nominees.
- The remaining half is occupied without any legal land rights.
Fatal Confrontation:
- Tensions escalated when villagers tried to detain the plantation manager, known only as “Thanom”.
- A brawl broke out, and gunshots were fired.
- Sanong Nooroom, one of the villagers, was shot and later died at the hospital.
- In retaliation, protesters attacked Thanom and his son, leaving both seriously injured.
Ongoing Dispute:
- Sumiontri Sookdam, leader of the protest group, stated that villagers had repeatedly requested government intervention to resolve the dispute but received no response.
- The villagers then moved to occupy and claim part of the land themselves.
