Thai farmers demand action on rice

[skorchio]

Maybe the Dems should have stayed in the game for the erections after all ...... If the rice farmers turn en-masse, who knows? A whole bunch of pissed off Paddis up nawth y'all ...

[phantomfiddler]

You all voted for them ... now's your chance to speak up !! ..... CHOKDEE !! .....

Exactly Som nam nah ! Now you can bite the hand that feeds you

[Scamper]

First of all, it should be noted that everyone it seems blocks roads in this country - reds, yellows, colours of various hues, and now, farmers ! Why does this happen ? Because amidst the play of political power-struggles in government house, it seems to be the only way the people's voice is effectively heard. Is this a good thing in a free society ? Yes. Provided of course that is it non-violent. And also until the political system allows for their voice to be reasonably heard through more cordial means. Second of all, it should be pointed out that taking care of the farmers before the election will undoubtedly be a top priority for this administration, as it naturally wants to ensure its party sweep the north. So, yes, idealism first. But let's not forget taking care of " business " !

[fab4]

Everybody has known when the election is to be held since parliament was dissolved.

The rice farmers were upset before the dissolution and continue to be so now. So how does your theory about "desperation to hold elections before reform", if such a thing existed, stand up to examination in light of these facts?

Answer, it doesn't.

The farmers will either vote for the PTP or not regardless of whether the elections are held sooner or later.In fact, if the elections were/are delayed it gives the caretaker government more time to find funds to pay them and win back their trust.

What 'facts'? PTP needs more time to find the money, but the problem is WHERE to find the money because there isn't any. Given enough time, this scam will collapse, but you think farmers will vote for the people that robbed them.

Good grief! Can you not read?

[JRSoul]

Everybody has known when the election is to be held since parliament was dissolved.

The rice farmers were upset before the dissolution and continue to be so now. So how does your theory about "desperation to hold elections before reform", if such a thing existed, stand up to examination in light of these facts?

Answer, it doesn't.

The farmers will either vote for the PTP or not regardless of whether the elections are held sooner or later.In fact, if the elections were/are delayed it gives the caretaker government more time to find funds to pay them and win back their trust.

What 'facts'? PTP needs more time to find the money, but the problem is WHERE to find the money because there isn't any. Given enough time, this scam will collapse, but you think farmers will vote for the people that robbed them.

Good grief! Can you not read?

Read and comprehend as well. But I see nothing in your "facts" which lead logically to your conclusion. In fact, if farmers remain unpaid for longer, IMHO they are less likely to vote for their insolvent debtors. Face it, the money is gone, they are trying to borrow more because they can't raise enough by selling rice to pay what they owe, and that is not going to work.

It's over, and now the criminals pay the price.

[falangadang]

So 56,000+ farmers not paid under the rice pledging scheme.

What happens if PTP are completely removed from Govt and a new party or system (such as PDRC) are put in place?

Does that mean that the farmers will have to go and whistle Dixie as the new Govt won't honor the promises of PTP?

If PTP do get back in then there going to be under the hammer to clear this from day 1 of their new term!

[waza]

Weren't the rice farmers PROMISED to be paid before New Year so everyone could enjoy it properly?

I guess the Govt's fan base is slowly diminishing, hence the desperation for elections before reform ..,

Everybody has known when the election is to be held since parliament was dissolved.

The rice farmers were upset before the dissolution and continue to be so now. So how does your theory about "desperation to hold elections before reform", if such a thing existed, stand up to examination in light of these facts?

Answer, it doesn't.

The farmers will either vote for the PTP or not regardless of whether the elections are held sooner or later.In fact, if the elections were/are delayed it gives the caretaker government more time to find funds to pay them and win back their trust.

Rice farmer were concerned before now they are upset and threatening to block roads. What would this do to the PTP election bandwagon in rice country? It is obvious that the PTP are desperate to hold election ASAP so they can continue hiding the true state of the Thai economy and they can continue with their agenda of supersizing Thailands debt to create available funds to cover the shortfalls and corruption. Its all a big ponzy scheme that they need to control or it will collapse and reveal they depth of their corruption. To delay will jeopardise their control and increase public discontentment. After all how do they find fund, " to pay them and win back their trust" if the election is postponed? Remember they are still a caretaker government and they still cant commence new scams.

[englishoak]

No problem being great at copying they will just copy what the west has done...........Pint more.

[peterquixote]

When you catch a thief at night in your house tomacht8, you shoot him, then check , make sure its dead

[scorecard]

Weren't the rice farmers PROMISED to be paid before New Year so everyone could enjoy it properly?

I guess the Govt's fan base is slowly diminishing, hence the desperation for elections before reform ..,

Everybody has known when the election is to be held since parliament was dissolved.

The rice farmers were upset before the dissolution and continue to be so now. So how does your theory about "desperation to hold elections before reform", if such a thing existed, stand up to examination in light of these facts?

Answer, it doesn't.

The farmers will either vote for the PTP or not regardless of whether the elections are held sooner or later.In fact, if the elections were/are delayed it gives the caretaker government more time to find funds to pay them and win back their trust.

What rubbish.

You seem to think (like the cabinet / caretaker cabinet)

you can fool all of the people all of the time.

Edited January 7, 2014 by scorecard

[darren84310]

But, it's a democraticaly elected government! This is what the people wanted. No point in calling for reforms before these clowns get 2 more years to bankrupt the country. Wait until after the election, and watch what they can accomplish when they get the water management and infrastructure loans, then you will see money really being wasted. But, hey, they were democraticaly elected,no one has any right to complain.

That's exactly what they are relying on; those loans would be used to pay for the rice pledging scheme rather than infrastructure and then they would keep their fingers crossed that rice prices increase again and everything will be ok.

Rather like going all in on a game of Texas Holdem and praying that the River card turns up trumps.

[ginjag]

Everybody has known when the election is to be held since parliament was dissolved.

The rice farmers were upset before the dissolution and continue to be so now. So how does your theory about "desperation to hold elections before reform", if such a thing existed, stand up to examination in light of these facts?

Answer, it doesn't.

The farmers will either vote for the PTP or not regardless of whether the elections are held sooner or later.In fact, if the elections were/are delayed it gives the caretaker government more time to find funds to pay them and win back their trust.

What 'facts'? PTP needs more time to find the money, but the problem is WHERE to find the money because there isn't any. Given enough time, this scam will collapse, but you think farmers will vote for the people that robbed them.

Good grief! Can you not read?

DOH.... the rice fraternity are upset because they have no money to feed their families on.

If you work for 3 or 4 months and your boss does not pay, are you pleased --no you are Pigged off with it. When paid a big percent will defect, do not try to tell me they will say thanks sorry for bothering you were still on your side. If this is the case----hospital and scans needed.

[mikemac]

For what it's worth....

My wife was paid this week for rice harvested in mid November.

After reading on TV that rice not paid for before December 31st 2013, would not be paid...I was pleasantly surprised!

It was a long, stressful wait and made an impact on my family's Christmas shopping, but they did come through.

Don't believe everything you read on TV or anywhere else!

For what it's worth.............focusing on the good news, the warm and fuzzy stuff that makes some people love Grand PooBah Thaksin, is not going to make all the bad stuff disappear. Like drinking lots of alcohol it makes you feel good for a while then you suffer later.

Congrats to your wife for being paid for her rice, eventually, hope she shares it with all the less fortunate who are still waiting. And according to the op there are more than 50,000 still waiting.

Suddenly that pittance they were paid to vote for PTP does not seem like much.............................

[spirit47]

Now they get, what they vote for...Sorry, but sometimes people have to learn by the hard way...

[Centrum]

Maybe the Dems should have stayed in the game for the erections after all ...... If the rice farmers turn en-masse, who knows? A whole bunch of pissed off Paddis up nawth y'all ...

You speak too early.

The govt has just given a date when all rice payments will be made.

Just after the election, I believe

They wouldn't lie about that just to keep the votes, would they?

Edited January 7, 2014 by Centrum

[Ricardo]

Maybe the Dems should have stayed in the game for the erections after all ...... If the rice farmers turn en-masse, who knows? A whole bunch of pissed off Paddis up nawth y'all ...

You speak too early.

The govt has just given a date when all rice payments will be made.

Just after the election, I believe

They wouldn't lie about that just to keep the votes, would they?

No, they are supposed to be paid by 15th January, just after the next big Bangkok protest, but well before the election on February 2nd.

[EyesWideOpen]

The famous Thai expression , som nam na , ( you deserve it ) instantly sprung into my head when I saw

this headline. As the red buffaloes sowed, so shall they reap, literally and figuratively. The irony here

is truly funny. Of course if they go crazy because they have no money, and the country is plunged into

civil war, guess I will not be laughing then. But really , once the red buffaloes figure out they have been

screwed by Thaksin, they should be joining the anti government protesters. So maybe no civil war.....

[ginjag]

Maybe the Dems should have stayed in the game for the erections after all ...... If the rice farmers turn en-masse, who knows? A whole bunch of pissed off Paddis up nawth y'all ...

You speak too early.

The govt has just given a date when all rice payments will be made.

Just after the election, I believe

They wouldn't lie about that just to keep the votes, would they?

No, they are supposed to be paid by 15th January, just after the next big Bangkok protest, but well before the election on February 2nd.

The carrot is--don't go please to add to numbers on the 13th, we will pay you sure on the 15 th...????

This statement to me sounds similar to the gambler who cannot pay his debts, pay you tomorrow SURE.

[Trouble]

The Thai Sultan of Dubai gloats in his golden castle, his sycophants greedily kissing and licking at his hole. Meanwhile, the farmers he stole from starve and fume.

How do we get from the rice pledging scheme to Thaksin in Dubai? Where is the connection to Thaksin stealing money from the farmers? The original idea behind the scheme was to prop up prices, a stupid idea at best but think it is hardly fair to blame this fiasco and resulting problems and/or corruption at Thaksin"s feet. The comments about Thaksin's wealth tripling came out of left field too. All indications are that his wealth is diminishing. He has assets frozen in Thailand and England and because of his investments in the global economy his assets have been reduced.

You can like Thaksin or hate him but let's not lay all the continuing corruption in Thailand at Thaksin"s feet. There are enough politicians on both sides for that. I think it is a little naive to think he is running every aspect of the Thai government from Dubai and that he continues to exhort complete control over things in Thailand. There is too much corruption for that right at home.

[robblok]

The Thai Sultan of Dubai gloats in his golden castle, his sycophants greedily kissing and licking at his hole. Meanwhile, the farmers he stole from starve and fume.

How do we get from the rice pledging scheme to Thaksin in Dubai? Where is the connection to Thaksin stealing money from the farmers? The original idea behind the scheme was to prop up prices, a stupid idea at best but think it is hardly fair to blame this fiasco and resulting problems and/or corruption at Thaksin"s feet. The comments about Thaksin's wealth tripling came out of left field too. All indications are that his wealth is diminishing. He has assets frozen in Thailand and England and because of his investments in the global economy his assets have been reduced.

You can like Thaksin or hate him but let's not lay all the continuing corruption in Thailand at Thaksin"s feet. There are enough politicians on both sides for that. I think it is a little naive to think he is running every aspect of the Thai government from Dubai and that he continues to exhort complete control over things in Thailand. There is too much corruption for that right at home.

Maybe because it was his idea.. remember the slogan Taskin thinks PTP does. It kinda says it all he is the real boss / robber leader not Yinluck. Also since 2010 his finances have tripled. Its a big coincidence, his party comes to power and all of a sudden he gets rich again. Nobody makes investments like that.

[waza]

The Thai Sultan of Dubai gloats in his golden castle, his sycophants greedily kissing and licking at his hole. Meanwhile, the farmers he stole from starve and fume.

How do we get from the rice pledging scheme to Thaksin in Dubai? Where is the connection to Thaksin stealing money from the farmers? The original idea behind the scheme was to prop up prices, a stupid idea at best but think it is hardly fair to blame this fiasco and resulting problems and/or corruption at Thaksin"s feet. The comments about Thaksin's wealth tripling came out of left field too. All indications are that his wealth is diminishing. He has assets frozen in Thailand and England and because of his investments in the global economy his assets have been reduced.

You can like Thaksin or hate him but let's not lay all the continuing corruption in Thailand at Thaksin"s feet. There are enough politicians on both sides for that. I think it is a little naive to think he is running every aspect of the Thai government from Dubai and that he continues to exhort complete control over things in Thailand. There is too much corruption for that right at home.

Trouble is, you lack credibility trouble, when you fail to do research and instead use your imagination to mislead the posters.

Firstly, the rice scam is Thaksins idea from the start and he continues to force its perpetuation, it is a financial nightmare that is in the process of bankrupting Thailand for generations to come.

"To name a few, the Rice Mortgage scheme, which Thaksin explicitly and publicly claimed as his program, and the current government has wholeheartedly implemented as policy, has caused the country to lose not just $13bn, but also Thailand’s competitiveness in the rice export market. The scheme has many loopholes which allow people with government connections to embezzle money." http://m.aljazeera.com/story/20131227421913272

Most damaging to its reputation is its flagship scheme to subsidise rice. This was the brainchild of Mr Thaksin, who dictates most of his sister’s policies from afar. It was a useful vote-winner during the election campaign in 2011. But its costs now jeopardise both the government’s finances and the economy as a whole. http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21583281-increasingly-unpopular-government-sticks-its-worst-and-most-costly-policy-rice-mountain

"Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra voiced support yesterday for the government’s controversial rice price-pledging programme, saying it should be extended for several more years......He rebuffed critics who say the policy has increased public debt, encouraged corruption, distorted the market and eroded Thailand's position as a leading rice exporter." http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Thaksin-backs-controversial-rice-scheme-30191053.html

Secondly, although Thaksin's wealth had diminished post coup and was dwindling further, his luck made a massive turned around and his wealth has increase 450% since his proxy government has come to power. http://www.forbes.com/profile/thaksin-shinawatra/

So I think its fair to say, "he is running every aspect of the Thai government from Dubai and that he continues to exhort complete control over things in Thailand."

"It is a well-known fact that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister, who has no background in politics whatsoever, acts as his proxy. The majority party in parliament - the Puea Thai Party - is still under total control of Thaksin, given the fact that many Puea Thai members of parliament, as well as cabinet members, still travel abroad to pay homage to Thaksin as a symbol of "the Big Boss", and in order to receive instructions from him. Yingluch, herself, does not have any leading position in the party. She is neither the leader of the party nor a member of its executive committee." http://m.aljazeera.com/story/20131227421913272

Edited January 7, 2014 by waza

[Mosha]

The Thai Sultan of Dubai gloats in his golden castle, his sycophants greedily kissing and licking at his hole. Meanwhile, the farmers he stole from starve and fume.

How do we get from the rice pledging scheme to Thaksin in Dubai? Where is the connection to Thaksin stealing money from the farmers? The original idea behind the scheme was to prop up prices, a stupid idea at best but think it is hardly fair to blame this fiasco and resulting problems and/or corruption at Thaksin"s feet. The comments about Thaksin's wealth tripling came out of left field too. All indications are that his wealth is diminishing. He has assets frozen in Thailand and England and because of his investments in the global economy his assets have been reduced.

You can like Thaksin or hate him but let's not lay all the continuing corruption in Thailand at Thaksin"s feet. There are enough politicians on both sides for that. I think it is a little naive to think he is running every aspect of the Thai government from Dubai and that he continues to exhort complete control over things in Thailand. There is too much corruption for that right at home.

Why do you think their campaign slogan was "Thaksin thinks Phue Thai does"?