Rice growers in the central plains on Friday lodged a petition with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) seeking legal action against the caretaker government for failing to make overdue rice payments, reports said.
The petition was submitted by representatives of rice farmers from Chai Nat, Singburi, Suphanburi, Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Saraburi and Nakhon Nayok, led by the president of Ang Thong Agricultural Council Songpol Pulsawat.
Mr Songpol said NACC is the last resort of farmers who have still not been paid for rice pledged more than six months ago and are now burdened with debts.
The government earlier promised that farmers would get their money on Jan 31, but no rice payments have been made and there has been no explanation, he said.
Farmers wanted to meet caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to ask her to clarity whether or not they will get paid, he added.
For the moment, Mr Songpol said, farmers will allow some time for the government to make the delayed rice payments, until Feb 15. If it fails to do so, the farmers' co-leaders will discuss their next move.
NACC deputy secretary general Wittaya Arkompitak, who received the petition, said he will table it at the next meeting of the NACC on Feb 11.
After that a working panel will be set up so that members can travel to visit rice growers in various provinces to hear their problems. The information will be collated and presented to an NACC meeting for consideration, he said.