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	They also sprinkled cemetery soil to affirm the area where the ritual was held contains graves.</div>
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	The dispute relates to a private company constructing a property that blocks a walkway to the ritual site.</div>
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	Sea gypsy Ngeem Damrongkaset, 71, said the ceremony, which dates back to the start of last century, was conducted when the community faced a dire situation with no apparent solution in sight. Nheem said a similar ritual was held years ago over another land dispute with an investor.&nbsp;</div>
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	Another sea gypsy, Somsri Damrongkaset, said it was a necessity for the community to had convenient access to the ritual site and could also use the area for boat and fishing gear repairs.</div>
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	Following a clash on January 27 over the issue that resulted in several people suffering injuries, bilateral talks facilitated by provincial officials were held last week but no solution was found.</div>
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	A fact-finding panel is determining whether the company legally owns the land.&nbsp;</div>
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Sea gypsies curse enemy over land dispute

Sea gypsies living of Phuket’s Muang district yesterday held a ritual to ask for the protection of supernatural beings and burnt chilli and salt to curse an enemy in the wake of land dispute with an investor.