Indigenous Negrito tribe receive financial help amid coronavirus pandemic

Indigenous people receive financial aid amid the coronavirus pandemic in Trang, southern Thailand, on July 23.

The Negrito tribesmen had previously earned a meagre income from tourism by working as guides and selling trinkets.

However, the illiterate tribesmen have had their income decimated after the country closed its borders to tourists on March 22, a ban which has remained in force due to Covid-19.

They are now receiving help financial aid from the government and kind locals to help them survive.

One of the tribal people said the money would be helpful to provide food for them and their family.

He said: "We were also suffering from the pandemic losing income and believed this would be a big help." The Negrito 'Sakai' are believed to be the descendants of ancient human from Sumatra and now can be found only in some parts of Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia.

In Thailand they live deep hillside woodlands in the four provinces of Trang, Satun, Narathiwat and Yala.