Sea people named "Moklen"

Moklen

In Thailand, there are three main groups of sea gypsies : the Moken, the Moklen, and the Urak Lawoi. All of them are known to the Thais as "Chao Lay" (sea people), an umbrella term depicting indigenous sea tribes whose life is (or was) closely tied to the sea.

The Moklen are a group of sea gypsies or "Chao Lay" which receive the least attention from the media and public. This is because their villages are located in the areas not frequented by tourists. So while their counterparts, the Urak Lawoi and the Moken have been mentioned time and again because their homes --Phuket, Lanta, and Lipeh islands for the former and Surin islands for the latter --are popular tourist destinations, the Moklen are mentioned simply as a subset of "Chao Lay" or "Thai Mai" ("new Thais" --a Thai term refers to the Urak Lawoi and the Moklen, most of whom have already adopted sendentary life and acquired Thai citizenship). Moklen children receive a formal education in the local schools where the instruction is conducted in standard Thai language. Most of them no longer speak Moklen language but they still understand it when their parents or their grandparents converse.

Most of the Moklen villages are found in Phang-nga Province on the west coast of Thailand. They are scattered in the District of Khuraburi, Takuapa, and Thaimuang.

Way of Life

Many of the Moklen have become land-based people. In fact, several Moklen villages are located inland, not in coastal areas. Oftentimes they identify themselves as traditionally land people who have never pursued maritime nomadic life or lived in "kabang" boat like the Moken. Nowadays, the Moklen engage in land-based occupation such as working in a rubber or coconut plantation and being hired as laborers for miscellaneous tasks. Those who live in coastal villages usually pursue marine activities such as net-fishing or diving for marketable sea produce.

Although many Moklen adopted Buddhism as their religion and some even entered Buddhist monkhood for a Lenten period, they still maintain their animistic beliefs. The traditional Moklen annual celebration is in February-March when they make offerings to their lengendary leader named Pho Ta Sam Phan.

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