PHATTHALUNG: The indigenous Mani (or Maniq) people used to live an isolated and misunderstood existence. These days, not only do many of them have Thai identification cards, they also have access to the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) scheme, which allows them to seek treatments for their injuries and/or illnesses.
"Like other Thai citizens, the Manis are entitled to receive healthcare under the Universal Health Coverage scheme supervised by the Ministry of Public Health," Sakchai Kanchanawattana, secretary-general of the National Health Security Office said while visiting the Manis at Moo 7 in Thung Naree district, Phatthalung province on Nov 23.
"The Manis periodically relocate in search of a new source of food and water. We are not going to change their behaviour patterns," he added. "Therefore, they are allowed to exercise their rights under the UHC in areas other than ones listed on their house registration documents."
Dr Sakchai insists that every Thai citizen has the right to receive fundamental public healthcare.
"The small group of people living in this mountainous area is considered as a vulnerable group. It is difficult for them to access the UHC because they live in a remote area without electricity and other modern infrastructures," he said.
"However, it is the duty of health authorities to provide all Thai nationals with public healthcare, regardless of ethnicity or race."
Despite the UHC's international recognition as a model for universal healthcare provision, Dr Sakchai said that its continuous development for the benefits of all Thai citizens and the healthcare system as a whole is still an important mission of the ministry.
According to a government report, there are about 500 Manis living in different areas across Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Yala and Narathiwat. As of Aug 21, 2018, 388 of them held ID cards, and 168 of them had been officially registered for the UHC.
"At Moo 7 in Phatthalung's Thung Naree district alone, there are 38 Manis living in huts constructed out of bamboos with roofs fashioned out of banana leaves," said Chaiyut Bunnui, an official of Thung Naree Sub-District Administration Office.
"Out of the 38, there are 18 children, one elderly person, and one person living with disabilities."
"They rely on a main source of food and water, which is located in the upper reaches of the mountain. Between them, there is one mobile phone -- and in case of an emergency, the group leader would walk down the hill to look for a signal so she can call an official at Baan Lor Harn Health Promotion Hospital for assistance," Mr Chaiyut said.
Kung Rakpahbon, the leader of the Manis at Moo 7, said the ethnic group usually depends on herbs and local wisdom when dealing with diseases.
"Basically, we use herbs to cure general ailments. However, for more complex or serious diseases, we have to rely on the UHC and medical specialists," she said.
"We don't have cash. We don't have the income to pay for medical expenses. So, we deeply appreciate the government's public healthcare system and related agencies that provide support and medical assistance for us."
The director of Baan Lor Harn Health Promotion Hospital, Narawut Keawnunol, said volunteers have come to teach the Manis how to speak and write in Thai.
"At least, many of them can write their own names in Thai, and they are also able to communicate with locals in pa sa tai" -- the southern Thai dialect, he said.
When asked about the Manis' health problems, Mr Narawut said that the most commonly reported problems include high blood pressure, conjunctivitis or pinkeye, and injuries from a fall.
"At the moment, the most concerning case involves a Mani child whose liver is infected with bacteria," he said. "The two-month old is also suffering from biliary atresia, an abnormal narrowing of the liver's bile ducts. He has been admitted to Hat Yai Hospital."
The plight of Thailand's so-called northern and western "hill tribes" is a well studied subject.
According to a paper titled The Mani People of Thailand on the Agricultural Frontier by Kittisak Rattanakrajangsri, Thapat Maneerat and Marcus Colchester, for most of the second half of the 20th century, policies deprived them of land rights and citizenship and the government sought to resettle them in the lowlands, as the Manis were viewed as forest destroyers, allies of communist insurgents, and drug traffickers.
That situation is beginning to change, partly because the cultural diversity of the "hill tribes" has become a magnet for eco-tourism.
The Manis speak many forms of Aslian languages, which are widely spoken by foraging groups that inhabit peninsular Thailand and Malaysia, where they are collectively known by the Malaysian government as Orang Asli, or aboriginal people.
The Manis are often referred to as "Sakai". However, the Manis dislike the word because it means "slave".
The Manis are part of an ancient ethnic group with African ancestry in Thailand. It is believed that their ancestors travelled from Africa and settled in Thailand many years ago.