NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Farmers continue to dry their freshly harvested rice on public roads in this northeastern province even though it recently caused a fatal collision and is illegal.
Farmers were seen drying their paddy on netting laid on roads and even on bridges in Phimai and nearby districts on Wednesday.
They seemed oblivious of the fact provincial authorities have banned the practice and ordered village headmen to make vacant land available for them to use - such as school grounds, temple land and local government compounds.
The practice proved fatal last Sunday when three pickup trucks collided on Ban Poljalok-Sa Waree Road in Moo 8 village of tambon Makha in Non Sung district. Two people died and two others were seriously injured in the accident.
On the day farmers were drying their grain on one lane of the two-lane road, leaving only one lane for traffic.
Farmers in that area, at least, have now stopped doing so, for fear of legal action.
One of three pickup trucks involved in the fatal accident rests on drying paddy which partially blocks the road in tambon Makha of Non Sung district, Nakhon Ratchasima, on Sunday. (Photo by Prasit Tangprasert)