Starting Point
Suwit Rattanachaisri, an elder from Sap Wai Village, was convicted and sentenced in a land dispute involving Sai Thong National Park. He faced two charges, resulting in a 17-month prison sentence and increased damages he was ordered to pay from 40,000 baht (1,177 USD) to 110,762 baht (3,260 USD). Additionally, the court ordered his family's eviction from land they had lived on for generations before the state designated it as a national park.
Suwit married a woman from Sap Wai Village, making him a resident of the area for over 40 years. He cultivated cassava on his two rai, one ngan, and 20 square wah (approximately 3,320 square meters) of farmland. After harvesting, he sold the cassava roots at local buying stations to support his family, including his two children. In 2016, he was ordered to vacate the land and clear all agricultural produce, causing him immense stress. This led to a stroke from the stress of his situation, leaving him with limited memory, as he now recalls only parts of his life. Currently, Suwit lives with his son, who helps with farming, while his daughter has married and moved out of the village.
Suwit shared that he never discussed the case with his family during his legal ordeal—not with his son or daughter. Instead, he only sought advice from others facing similar charges. In most cases, he turned to Kob for guidance, as despite being a man, he lacked legal knowledge. Kob helped explain the legal complexities to him in a way he could understand. Today, Suwit is one of 14 people who continue to fight together for justice. They travel as a group, advocating for their rights as Thai citizens who deserve fairness and justice.
Peace Journey
Although Suwit is a man, the women in the village primarily drive the movement to reclaim justice for himself and his community. Suwit sees himself as a good follower in this process, as he lacks knowledge of legal matters. Women like Kob have played a crucial role in helping him understand the complexities of legal battles, making the process more accessible.
Suwit reflects on his position as a Thai citizen, emphasising that he feels let down by a government that fails to educate its citizens, poor individuals living hand-to-mouth with no legal expertise. Instead of empowering people, the government uses laws to target people with low incomes. Attempts to solve problems through legal means often fail because officials do not engage with the local population or involve them in decision-making. The use of laws often leads to more conflict and additional problems.
Suwit believes peacebuilding in such areas cannot rely solely on legal frameworks. Instead, it requires empowering citizens by providing them with the same level of knowledge as government officials. He acknowledges that he has learned a lot, but it is knowledge gained through his struggles with legal cases— not knowledge provided by the state.
Success Stories
The fight for land rights presents significant challenges for impoverished people in the area, particularly regarding the intersectionality of class and societal hierarchy in the country. Suwit perceives his struggle as accepting and surrendering to fate (in line with Buddhist philosophy). He notes that economic status profoundly impacts participation in peacebuilding efforts, as the poor are often the most affected by injustice.
Suwit shared that, despite being a Thai citizen and living on land passed down through his ancestors, he has been labelled as encroaching on a reserved forest. He believes that state officials should support and facilitate the lives of their citizens, especially those who are poor and in need. However, the opposite has been true in his case. When government representatives engage with the community, they often do so strictly within the framework of the law, speaking in legal jargon that ordinary people, who lack any understanding of the law, cannot comprehend. In contrast, poor villagers like him can only speak from the truths of their everyday experiences.
Through his fight alongside the women in his community, Suwit has learned the importance of mutual support and trust within the group. He found that women are knowledgeable, understanding, patient, and capable of effectively managing or coping with problems. Peacebuilding processes involving women tend to be more successful. He also emphasises that the government must help ensure equality for all citizens, avoiding discriminatory practices that favour the wealthy while neglecting the poor.