Pandemic respite for Thai 'sea gypsies' threatened by mass tourism

A Moken fisherman Sanam Changnam hunting for fish off the coast of the southern Thai island of Phuket. The Covid-19 (coronavirus) has wrought havoc across the world, but for Thailand's "sea gypsies" it has brought welcome respite from the threat of mass tourism. - AFP

PHUKET, Nov 23 (AFP): Coronavirus has wrought havoc across the world, but for Thailand's "sea gypsies" it has brought welcome respite from the threat of mass tourism.

Since the pandemic began, life has been easier for Sanan Changnam and his people -- there's an abundance of fish to eat and real estate projects on their ancestral land in the tourist hotspot of Phuket have come to a standstill.