In the News (Thailand): Farmers’ ire grows over inaction on low rice price
Thousands of farmers are planning to descend on Bangkok tomorrow to put pressure on the government to solve the problems caused by the low price of rice.
The rally comes on the same day as the Supreme Court is due to deliver its ruling in the case of the assets seizure from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family, but the vice president of the Thai Farmers Association, Wichian Phuanglamchiak, said the farmers’ action had nothing to do with politics or the court ruling.
He insisted he would not encourage farmers to gather near the Supreme Court on Ratchadamnoen Nai Avenue or at the nearby Sanam Luang.
Mr Wichian said the farmers, mainly from the North and the Central Plains, would converge on Government House and the Commerce Ministry to demand that the government end the slump in crop prices.
The paddy price has fallen from 9,000 to 7,000 baht a tonne. Many farmers have fallen into debt because of the lower prices.
Mr Wichian said the farmers wanted the government to ask rice mills to buy their paddy at above-market prices in each of the affected provinces.
