Farmers fail to see big picture

EDITORIAL

Published: 4 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The rallies by farmer groups in front of the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) in Bangkok, Suphan Buri and Chiang Mai to show their support for the government's rice pledging scheme should not come as a total surprise. It is a normal phenomenon in a democracy where every individual is entitled to free expression.

But the farmer groups' anger vented against the 100-plus Nida academics and students who earlier petitioned the Constitution Court to challenge the constitutionality of the rice pledging scheme seems to be misplaced and unwarranted. In other words, the groups appear to have misunderstood the real intention and the wish of the petitioners.

Like many other critics of this populist scheme, including Central Bank chairman Virabongsa Ramangkura, the Nida group wants the project amended to plug all the loopholes so real farmers will be the only ones that benefit from it _ and not corrupt politicians and officials, unscrupulous millers, rice smugglers as well as some exporters with good political connections who appear to have reaped a windfall from this project.

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bangmodken
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Discussion 22 : 07 Oct 2012 at 15.5722
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D21 : Ohh I'm so sorry for the mistake...english isn't my native language...I meant commentators and in your case,a red one. And sorry for expecting you to understand.
Cancelled as in NOT paying above the market price...but spin it any way you like...as always.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 21 : 06 Oct 2012 at 06.4221
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bangmodken 20 - "You're the only red commentor here who have been able to see that NIDA and the Dems are NOT calling for the scheme to be cancelled. Only to be revised and more transparent."
The Dems are calling for it to be canceled, arguing their rice scheme is better. I'm also not a 'red commentor', whatever that is.
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bangmodken
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Discussion 20 : 05 Oct 2012 at 12.1920
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D19 : Impressive,John. You're the only red commentor here who have been able to see that NIDA and the Dems are NOT calling for the scheme to be cancelled. Only to be revised and more transparent.

Maybe you could do us all a favour and explain that to your comrades? Thank you.
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johninbkk
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Discussion 19 : 05 Oct 2012 at 01.4319
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The author is correct about the NIDA petitioners group. They *do not* want the rice mortgage canceled, only amended to resolve various issues. And I agree with most of their suggestions. It is not an 'academics' group either. It consists of academics, students, farmers, and regular people who signed off the street. But other BangkokPost articles have repeatedly mis-reported the issue.
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ringmaster
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Discussion 18 : 04 Oct 2012 at 23.0918
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Perhaps the author of this editorial and the NIDA need to look at the bigger picture as well. The country must protect the agricultural industry and address the disparity in income between the urban and rural areas (which is partly responsible for the recent tensions in Thai society).

I wholehearted agree with kena #8. Subsidies are not the best solution and not even a good solution. However, tax dollars need to be spent and they should be spent on ways to increase productivity - better equipment, better land management, better technology...
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howell
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Discussion 17 : 04 Oct 2012 at 22.3217
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'...Central Bank chairman Virabongsa Ramangkura...'

A Thaksin/PTP appointment is even arguing against it. Thaksin cannot or will not see the flaws and potential consequences and for as long as he has the farmers vote he will not.
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onlyme
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Discussion 16 : 04 Oct 2012 at 22.0416
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Disc 15 - You have aptly pointed out your lack of economic or business knowledge which is in line with many of the supporters of this policy. If you buy something for 100 baht and sell it for 200 baht does it mean you made a 100 baht profit? Simply put, no. The length of time you hold it (opportunity cost and inventory carrying cost) quickly erodes the 100 baht profit. I am keeping this as simple as possible so it is not confusing. Google either term for an explanation. There are more factors but this is a quick review not an analysis.
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genii
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Discussion 15 : 04 Oct 2012 at 21.1015
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If you purchase a product for a set price and then store the product for a higher price sell at a later date then how can you have a loss. As for corruption this has been in every rice purchasing plan irreguardless.
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genii
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Discussion 14 : 04 Oct 2012 at 19.3614
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It is just a bit odd that there is so much news coverage and supposedly opposition to the rice scheme for what is said to corrupted. Remember polls where most agreed with corruption if they benefitted. Corruption is so widespread and this rice scheme is just a drop in the bucket but gets such high attention. Was the purchase and sell of rice corrupted before this rice scheme. Maybe someone is not making their cut now hence the anger.
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englishbob
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Discussion 13 : 04 Oct 2012 at 18.1313
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Disc 10 Bula - The government has been approached by numerous groups and committees. The failings of this scheme have been pointed out by virtually everyone without a financial stake in it.

And the government has not only refused to stop the madness, they have extended it.

If the government won't listen to reason, they may listen to the law. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
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Farmers fail to see big picture | Bangkok Post: opinion