Farmers and activists are threatening to stage huge protests if the controversial rice bill, that they believe will seriously hurt local farmers, is not dropped.
The threat is part of a fierce campaign to put pressure on the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), which will deliberate the bill later today and tomorrow. Last month, the NLA approved the draft bill in its first reading.
Opponents of the bill are protesting against Section 27, which prohibits the trading of rice seeds that have not been approved by the Rice Department.
Critics said the section was designed to benefit large-scale commercial rice producers, as farmers who trade their own rice seeds could get into trouble.
Small farming communities who have developed, harvested and come to rely on indigenous rice varieties will be hit hardest by the bill, critics said.
Thanakrit Worathanatchakul, a provincial chief public prosecutor attached to the Office of the Attorney-General, said the bill lacks clarity and might affect farmers who develop and harvest their own strains.
Section 3 of the bill, he noted, limits the exchange and sale of seeds for "commercial purposes" without any further explanation.
"What this entails is unclear, and the bill should have been written more clearly such as if small-scale farmers will be spared from the prohibition.
Meanwhile, farmers across the country were up in arms over the bill.
At Khon Kaen City Hall, members of various community organisations jointed the Alternative Agriculture Network in the Northeast in reading a statement opposing the bill.
Chuchart Phiewsawan, chairman of tambon organisation council meetings, said the legislation undermines the strength of farmers' unions and organisations, as the drafting process lacked public participation.
If implemented, the legislation would aggravate social disparity and result in protests in the future, he said.
"We want the NLA to immediately drop the rice bill," said Mr Chuchart. "Tambon councils from 77 provinces and other allies will join hands in opposition to the rice bill."
Mr Chuchart said that since the bill will only allow certified seeds to be bought and sold, corporations with capital and the required technology stand to benefit more than local farmers.
The Chairman of the Thai Rice Growers Association, Suthep Kongmak, said farmers were also opposed to the bill because it was not written to protect them.
Mr Suthep said the NLA should not rush to pass it as more thorough studies must be conducted.
In Phichit, representatives of local farming networks lodged a petition against the bill with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha via provincial governor Woraphan Suwanus.
They said they will assemble every seven days to hear the progress of their demands, and if they are not met by this month, farmer networks across the country will stage a big protest in March.
Members of the Thai Farmer's Debt Network also assembled Monday at Prachuap Khiri Khan's provincial hall to submit a petition against the bill.
They said the legislation will only be beneficial to business groups, not farmers.
Gen Prayut said the NLA intends to take better care of farmers by preventing them from being taken advantage of.
He also insisted the bill would not affect farmers in terms of seed storage, exchange or trade.
Meanwhile, the NLA committee vetting the rice bill invited more than 70 representatives from farmer networks to exchange views on the legislation.
The representatives were said to be in support of the bill and hoped it will pass the NLA reading tomorrow.
Kittisak Ratanawaraha, a member of the committee, insisted the lawmakers deliberating the bill were not being influenced by big businesses and vested interests.
The panel released a statement to counter criticism of the bill.
It states that the bill includes a clause that would spare farmers who store seeds for their own use.
Growers who have good quality seeds can trade or exchange them freely, except those who do so for commercial purposes,it said.