Army Spokesman clarifies claims military seized oil palm in Surat Thani

[webfact]

Army Spokesman clarifies claims military seized oil palm in Surat Thani

 

FILE photo

 

BANGKOK, 5 November 2018 (NNT) – A spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army has said accusations by a former Democrat party MP that the military had seized raw palm from farmers in Surat Thani was based on incomplete information. 

Army Spokesman Col Winthai Suwaree has responded to an statement by former Democrat party MP Wachara Petchthong that palm farmers had complained to him that soldiers had seized their raw palm intended for sale in Surat Thani province, saying he was presenting incomplete facts. 

Col Winthai explained that the action was in line with policy set by a meeting of relevant representatives and that only sub-par quality palm was seized. 

The low quality produce is to be transformed into fertilizer and redistributed to growers in defense of the palm industry’s quality. The measure has improved palm oil extraction in Surat Thani by 18 percent and allowed purchase prices of raw palm to rise to 3.3-3.6 baht per kilogram, adding 200 to 300 baht in profit to farmers. Nonetheless, Col Winthai acknowledged that requests have been made to put the measure on hold as producers adapt.

 

-- nnt 2018-11-05

[keith101]

Why don't the farmers have the right to sell this low quality palm themselves rather than the Army taking it ?

[klauskunkel]

The Royal Thai Army, they really have their fingers in everything...

Defense of the country, that's the sideline

But, I don't blame them, you've got to do what you're really good at.

 

[Ulic]

We just confiscated the low-quality oil so there is no need to compensate the farmers. They will make a higher return on the remaining higher quality oil. Thai economics.  

[soalbundy]

was this verified or was there a caveat at the bottom of that statement

[Burma Bill]

Trying to grease palms by any chance?