Minister Visits Koh Lanta to Support Urak Lawoi Community Development
Minister of Social Development and Human Security Nikorn Somklang visited Koh Lanta to launch housing initiatives and celebrate local ethnic heritage.
On September 26, 2026, Nikorn Somklang, the Minister of Social Development and Human Security, visited Koh Lanta in Krabi province to participate in the 'Charming of the Sea - Let's see Mountain 2026' event. During his visit, the Minister inspected the Toh Baliu community and announced a 6.74 million baht allocation for the 'Baan Mankong' (Secure Housing) project, managed by the Community Organizations Development Institute (CODI). This initiative aims to support 100 Urak Lawoi households, a sea-dwelling ethnic group, by improving their living conditions and infrastructure.
In addition to the housing project, the Minister presented awards to exemplary elderly residents and community role models, emphasizing the government's commitment to social equality and the protection of ethnic lifestyles. For residents and visitors, this development highlights ongoing efforts to preserve the unique cultural heritage of the Andaman sea-nomad communities while integrating them into modern social welfare frameworks. While the funding for the housing project has been confirmed, further details regarding the timeline for construction and the specific long-term impacts on local tourism and community access remain to be seen. The event underscores the government's focus on balancing regional development with the preservation of indigenous cultural identities in popular tourist destinations.
