Maniq Tribe Fights for Ancestral Land Rights in Thailand

The Maniq, Thailand's smallest ethnic minority and last hunter-gatherers, are in a struggle for ownership of the forest lands they have inhabited for generations. Their traditional hunting practices are now illegal within protected conservation zones, creating a direct conflict between their way of life and Thai law. This predicament is common for Indigenous peoples globally, facing pressure to abandon traditions while fighting for land rights.

While many Maniq have transitioned to settled life, seeking education and healthcare, they now desire formal ownership of their ancestral territories. They aim for secure livelihoods and permanent homes, as temporary leaf shelters are insufficient. Current regulations allow for 20-year usage permits on protected land, but this does not equate to ownership, leaving communities in a precarious state.

A new law has introduced "protected ethnic areas" offering land use rights, but critics point out that existing environmental regulations remain, potentially limiting the law's effectiveness. The Maniq seek guaranteed, permanent rights, not just temporary use, to ensure their future and preserve their cultural heritage within the forests they call home.