Fire engulfs 'sea gypsy' village in Phangnga

Fire rages through a village of Moken, known as sea gypsies, on the Surin islands of Phangnga's Khura Buri district on Sunday night. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)

PHANGNGA: A village of Moken people, known as sea gypsies, on the Surin islands in Khura Buri district caught fire Sunday night, leaving many villagers homeless.

The fire started in the village near Ao Bon Bay at about 7.30pm when a local resident started the engine of a boat and caused an explosion.

Strong wind sent flames to thatched houses and burnt down about 65 of them. Only about 15 houses survived the inferno.

Local naval officers and park rangers evacuated affected people and built a temporary shelter for them near Ao Bon.

Tourism operators' associations in Phangnga and Phuket provinces were gathering donations including food, water, clothing and medicine for the people.

There were no reports of casualties in the tragedy.