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Traditionally avid swimmers able to dive deep to collect clams and sea cucumbers, Morgan people are now forbidden from harvesting sea animals--with the exception of subsistence fishing -- and from freely crossing the border to visit their relatives and friends. With access to the Morgan cultural centers in Burma cut off and their way of life restricted, changes to the 190 Morgan people on Surin Islands are inevitable.
As long-distance sea travelling became less frequent, the boats-cum-houses "Ka Bang" virtually disappeared, and Morgans now live in permanent houses. The beautiful sea and the designation of the islands as a national park have brought an increasing number of tourists to the area. As a result, the lives of Morgan people, park officials and tourists are now intertwined in an interesting way. Many Morgans are now seen mingled among park visitors, doing construction work for the park, driving tourist boats, collecting garbage, and cleaning rooms. While the park visitors bring Morgans income, there are also problems that come with increased contact with outsiders, such as alcohol, smoking, and begging.
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