Farmers threaten to block highways

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Farmers threaten to block highways

Published: 2/03/2009 at 02:24 PM
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Farmers nationwide have threatened to block four major highways if the government sets the guarranteed buying price for rice at only 10,000 baht per tonne.

Wichian Puanglamjiak, vice-president of the Thai Farmers Association, said on Monday the government earlier rejected the association’s request to extend the 2008-09 rice crop mortgage scheme for one month,

The government argued that farmers could instead sell their rice in the 2009-10 cycle, that starts on March 16.

However, the association had learned the government would reduce the guaranteed price for rice from 12,000 baht per tonne to 10,000 baht. Rice farmers throughout the country were frustrated by the decision.

Registered members of the farmers association would protest by blocking four national highways if the government does not reconsider the new price.

If the government remained ambivalent about the problem of low prices for rice, the farmers would then move their protest into Bangkok, Mr Wichian said.

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Discussion 4 : 03/03/2009 at 11:35 AM4
I don't think blocking the highway or protesting in Bangkok is the right way to go. They should all stick together and threaten not to plant rice next season. That will get the attention of more than just the government.

Rice exports amount to more than 10% of Thailand's GDP and Thailand is the world leader in Rice exports (that may change this year). The banks would be in a panic if all the farmers defaulted on their payments. What are they going to do, foreclose on the top 1/2 of the country? Not likely. They don't want millions of Rai of rice land that they are stuck sitting on for years.
Amazing Thailand

Discussion 3 : 03/03/2009 at 10:15 AM3
These kind of protests are a direct result of PAD getting away with the seige of Government House and the Airports. People all over Thailand have noticed they can blackmail the authorites with protests and nothing will happen to them.

The Government rolled out the red carpet for anarchy to reign in Thailand and people all over Thailand are responding.
Marie Antoinette

Discussion 2 : 02/03/2009 at 08:00 PM2
Let them eat cake. Or the animals in the Paris Zoo. Whatever.
perplexed

Discussion 1 : 02/03/2009 at 07:37 PM1
While I sympathise with the farmer's plight, the broken promises by the gov't, blocking public roads is not the answer. The average citizens are not the ones causing problems, and should not have their rights restricted because a particular group has been wronged by gov't policy.
This sort of terroist act will cause a further decline in the tourism sector as visitors do not like missing flights and appointments because a disgruntled group caused an unjustifed delay. It definitely will not gain any supporters by causing detours and traffic jams.
It'll take a serious lawsuit from the surivors of someone being rushed to a hospital in a delayed amublance to get these fools attention I suppose.
It seems only in Thailand is public safety ignored and such action condoned by the traffic police.

Farmers threaten to block highways