About 500 rice farmers on Thursday blocked off the Indochina intersection in Phitsanulok’s Muang district, demanding the caretaker government pay them the money owed for pledged crops by the end of the month.
If they did not receive payment by Friday next week they would join forces with the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) in Bangkok and not vote for candidates fielded by government coalition parties in the Feb 2 general election, group leader Capt Ubon Puttarak, chairman of the Phitsanulok Farmers Council, said.
Capt Ubon said rice growers in Phitsanulok had pledged seven billion baht's worth of rice paddy. So far, they had only received about one billion baht.
The demonstrators agreed that if the government is unable to pay them, then it should give them back their grain, plus interest in compensation for the payment delay.
The unhappy farmers said they would stay put until the state provides them with an acceptable solution.
Phitsanulok governor Rapee Pongbuppakij and provincial administration organisation chief executive Monchai Wiwatthanat went to the blocked intersection and implored the farmers to disperse.
Mr Rapee told the farmers that he had already submitted a petition to the government on the issue, but had yet to receive a clear answer.
Police have advised travellers to avoid the Indochina intersection.
In Ratchaburi’s Muang district, a large number of farmers gathered at the provincial hall on Thursday, requesting that the provincial administration find ways to reduce the financial burden caused by the payment deferment of the government’s rice policy.
Wichit Panpian, chairman of the Ratchaburi Farmers Council, led over 500 rice growers to submit a petition to Ratchaburi governor Nisit Chansomwong. Members of the Phitsanulok PDRC protesting at the provincial hall joined the group.
In response, Mr Nisit sent requests to various funds that have handed out loans to farmers to extend loan terms for them.