Farmers from five northern provinces plan to hold a major rally after Feb 25 to pressure the caretaker government to make overdue payments for their rice and to resign to allow the country to move forward.
An official checke the rice stockpile in a warehouse in Si Prachan district of Suphan Buri. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
Prakasit Cheamchamras, a core leader of northern farmers, said the farmers have not yet finalised the date or the place, but he expected more than 2,000 farmers would join the rally, which he promised would not cause problems for the public.
“Farmers will not block the road like in the past, but we will gather in a movement to pressure the government in Bangkok and to demand the payment due and the resignation of the government,” said Mr Prakasit.
His group represents farmers in Pichit, Nakhon Sawan, Sukhothai, Kamphaengphet and Phitsanulok.
The group believes that the government no longer has good quality rice in the warehouse stockpiles. It earlier submitted a petition signed by over 3,000 farmers to the Office of HM's Principal Private Secretary seeking assistance from the King.