Rice Farmers disperse after payment promise but vow to return

[webfact]

Farmers disperse after payment promise but vow to return



BANGKOK: -- Several hundreds of farmers blocking the Asian Highway from Phitsanulok to Nakhon Sawan agreed to remove blockades and disperse after they were promised by a caretaker minister that they will receive their money on January 15.

Farmers blocked Highway 117 in front of the Wachirabaramee district office yesterday to demand immediate payment for the rice they sold to the government under the rice-pledging scheme.

Kittisak Ratanawaraha, president of the Lower Northern Region Farmers Association, said farmers agreed to disperse when a caretaker minister said 70 billion baht fund has been approved and another 40 billion baht was being sought from the Election Commission for approval.

The minister said a total of 110 billion baht would be paid to them by January 15 through the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, the farmer leader said.

He said with such a promise, farmers were happy though not confident of his words.

Farmers remained uncertain how and where the government would be able to get the money but at least farmers would have to trust the promise, he said.

“We will wait until January 15 before going to ask the bank if the money has been transferred to pay farmers. It’s alright if we will get the money a bit late but will not tolerate again with another lie,” he said.

If the government fails to keep up with the promise, then the protest will be stepped up, he said.

He made clear that the government not only has to pay for the rice farmers sold to it, but also to absorb the 7% interest which farmers have to seek from the bank to spend first after over five-month of late payment.

He said the bank has eased the plight of farmers by allowing them to seek loan of 20% from the face value of rice vouchers issued as an official certification that they had sold rice to the government.

It was like borrowing farmers’ money from the bank but has to pay interest for their money which is unfair, he said.

The certificate shows both the price and the amount of rice farmers sold under the pledging scheme. It is the document issued by the Public Warehouse Organization and the Marketing Organization for Farmers for rice sold by farmers to government. Farmers will use the vouchers to claim money from the bank.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/farmers-disperse-payment-promise-vow-return/


-- Thai PBS 2014-01-08

[TVGerry]

You've been lied to by this government as you've been lied to by them for years! They're not going to pay because they don't have permission from the EC to do so! Expect them to shift the blame on the 15th when your bank accounts are still empty!

[webfact]

Govt to quickly pay farmers participating in rice mortgage program

BANGKOK, 8 Jan 2014 (NNT) - The government vows to pay farmers who pledged their crops under its rice mortgage scheme within January 15th.

The announcement came after a Tuesday gathering of about 500 farmers from Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet, sealing off highway number 117. They have expressed their anger at the government’s delay in distributing the funds from the scheme, which is five months overdue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong has apologized the farmers for the delay, saying that the payment process was being disrupted during the 3-week seizure by the People's Democratic Reform Committee last November. Nonetheless he said that the ministry has urged the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to accelerate the process. He said the BAAC has set aside 10 billion baht to pay farmers who already pledged their crops but yet to receive the payment within January 15th.

Regarding a request by the farmers to the BAAC to impose a debt suspension program to relieve them from interest burdens, Phichit Governor Surachai Khan-Asa said that he would coordinate with the bank and the government in order to find a suitable solution on the matter.


-- NNT 2014-01-08

[scorecard]

"“We will wait until January 15 before going to ask the bank if the money has been transferred to pay farmers. It’s alright if we will get the money a bit late but will not tolerate again with another lie,” he said."

No comment needed!

[Costas2008]

Don't worry....you will get paid.

The government will be soon getting the money for Wat Chai's Restoration.

[worgeordie]

I think the Government is going to have to contact Wonga

or one of those other pay day loan providers.

They are definitely going to find the money somewhere votes

are at stake !

regards Worgeordie

[scorecard]

Govt to quickly pay farmers participating in rice mortgage program

BANGKOK, 8 Jan 2014 (NNT) - The government vows to pay farmers who pledged their crops under its rice mortgage scheme within January 15th.

The announcement came after a Tuesday gathering of about 500 farmers from Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet, sealing off highway number 117. They have expressed their anger at the government’s delay in distributing the funds from the scheme, which is five months overdue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong has apologized the farmers for the delay, saying that the payment process was being disrupted during the 3-week seizure by the People's Democratic Reform Committee last November. Nonetheless he said that the ministry has urged the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to accelerate the process. He said the BAAC has set aside 10 billion baht to pay farmers who already pledged their crops but yet to receive the payment within January 15th.

Regarding a request by the farmers to the BAAC to impose a debt suspension program to relieve them from interest burdens, Phichit Governor Surachai Khan-Asa said that he would coordinate with the bank and the government in order to find a suitable solution on the matter.

-- NNT 2014-01-08

Blame others, no morals, no sense of responsibility, expect that the public will believe / accept whatever he and his gang says.

On the other hand, perhaps:

- He just doesn't care whether the payments are late / very late / unbelievably late.

- He just doesn't what the public (the Thai populace, who he and his ilk are accountably to) think.

- He just doesn't care that the various press reports on all this make his gang look scaly and totally lacking in credibility.

[clifric]

So, the 5 month overdue payment is due to the 3 week long protest. Well maybe they'll swallow that like all the other stuff, although I suspect this time they will not!

[Scamper]

" Farmers remained uncertain how and where the government would be able to get the money ".

One suspects they aren't the only ones. What seemed like a wonderful idea to secure the election in 2011, has become a perennial pain for the administration, as the thought has finally dawned on them that as long as they make such extravagant payments, the farmers will expect them either in perpetuity, or whenever the GDP tanks - whichever comes first.

[trogers]

Oohhh...!!! When did the Bt500,000,000,000 revolving fund stopped revolving?

[jaltsc]

"The minister said a total of 110 billion baht would be paid to them by January 15 through the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, the farmer leader said."

You can fool some of the people all of the time. You can fool all of the people some of the time. But, you can't fool all of the people all of the time...Unless...They are Thai rice farmers.

[billd766]

just another (white) lie to keep the people happy.

Where is the government going to get the money from in just one week?

It is already months late.

Edited January 8, 2014 by billd766

[fish fingers]

Don't worry....you will get paid.

The government will be soon getting the money for Wat Chai's Restoration.

That large US 'gift' was good timing.,,,,

[Robby nz]

Wonder what would have happened if the pollies had their pay stopped 5 months ago ?

Suppose it wouldn't really matter they are all millionaires.

[Local Drunk]

Don't worry....you will get paid.

The government will be soon getting the money for Wat Chai's Restoration.

That large US 'gift' was good timing.,,,,

And there lies the problem... No one in this government is going to give an account of where the money goes.

[Local Drunk]

"The minister said a total of 110 billion baht would be paid to them by January 15 through the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, the farmer leader said."

Where does this money come from? I thought this mess was thrown into the Election Commission's lap. Have they ruled already?

[Thait Spot]

"Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong has apologized the farmers for the delay, saying that the payment process was being disrupted during the 3-week seizure by the People's Democratic Reform Committee last November"

What a hideous man. These payments are up to 4 months late and he comes up with that?

[ChrisY1]

They'll be back!

[Baerboxer]

Govt to quickly pay farmers participating in rice mortgage program

BANGKOK, 8 Jan 2014 (NNT) - The government vows to pay farmers who pledged their crops under its rice mortgage scheme within January 15th.

The announcement came after a Tuesday gathering of about 500 farmers from Phitsanulok, Nakhon Sawan, Phichit, Sukhothai and Kamphaeng Phet, sealing off highway number 117. They have expressed their anger at the government’s delay in distributing the funds from the scheme, which is five months overdue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong has apologized the farmers for the delay, saying that the payment process was being disrupted during the 3-week seizure by the People's Democratic Reform Committee last November. Nonetheless he said that the ministry has urged the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to accelerate the process. He said the BAAC has set aside 10 billion baht to pay farmers who already pledged their crops but yet to receive the payment within January 15th.

Regarding a request by the farmers to the BAAC to impose a debt suspension program to relieve them from interest burdens, Phichit Governor Surachai Khan-Asa said that he would coordinate with the bank and the government in order to find a suitable solution on the matter.

-- NNT 2014-01-08

Blame others, no morals, no sense of responsibility, expect that the public will believe / accept whatever he and his gang says.

On the other hand, perhaps:

- He just doesn't care whether the payments are late / very late / unbelievably late.

- He just doesn't what the public (the Thai populace, who he and his ilk are accountably to) think.

- He just doesn't care that the various press reports on all this make his gang look scaly and totally lacking in credibility.

This is Mr. White Lies himself. Tell the public anything to keep them happy. Promise anything then lie and shove the blame anywhere. He seems to believe that everyone, including international financial institutions, are stupid enough to believe whatever <deleted> he speaks. Even though he admits lying for those to stupid to have worked it out themselves.

PTP take arrogance and contempt of the people to new heights.

PTP were in deep shit before the whitewash bill fiasco ignited the mass protests. They were hoping to get their hands on the 2.2 trillion and 350 million water budgets and spend the money "off budget". This would've given them enough float to carry on scamming for a long time. They panicked and cheated the loan bill through the senate to try and make sure. Again demonstrating the desperation of a gang determined to cling on to power, and avoid detection as well as reaping future plunder.

My FIL has been waiting, but not as long as some. None of his friends really believe they will be paid on the 15th and are getting pissed off with the local red shirts trying to condition them to believing non payment will be the fault of others.

The situation is getting more and more explosive for the woman who doesn't have corruption in her government and whose family aren't interested in power.

[thhMan]

Its extremely frustrating to watch all this, knowing full well that there is no reason, logic, compassion and respect to be seen anywhere. I am not saying other countries are any better, but at least its dealt with and people jailed or dismissed from positions of power.

[fstarbkk]

"Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong has apologized the farmers for the delay, saying that the payment process was being disrupted during the 3-week seizure by the People's Democratic Reform Committee last November. "

Like we didn't see that coming! Blaming the opposition for their own screw-up is pathetic, but par for the course with this bunch. What's even sadder is that the brainwashed red masses will probably believe it too.

[ginjag]

They'll be back!

Arnold said the same "Ill be back" I will return. 555555 ha

[spirit47]

The world rice price droping continously, and Thailand lost his reputation as market leader. The rice farmers should look for other jobs, the Government and theyself kicked them out of the game. I dont see them reforming agriculture, and now its to late. The Shin-clan give up by themself and leave a battlefield...

[rametindallas]

"The minister said a total of 110 billion baht would be paid to them by January 15 through the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives, the farmer leader said."

You can fool some of the people all of the time. You can fool all of the people some of the time. But, you can't fool all of the people all of the time...Unless...They are Thai rice farmers.

You can fool some of the people all of the time = Rice farmers

[Centrum]

"Senate committee on Agriculture and cooperatives has recommended that the next govt elected after the Feb 2 election should immediately end the PTP 'Rice Pledging Scheme.'"

Fuel onto the fire, methinks.

A very sensible recommendation but it's not going to go down well with the red-shirted rice farmers up country.

May well have been a 'cunning plan' by Thaksin.

Promise the poor farmers boundless wealth, all the while knowing it was impossible to pay, and when the pragmatists take it away, the angry farmers will come to Bangers and destroy it again.

[paulyao]

I think the Government is going to have to contact Wonga

or one of those other pay day loan providers.

They are definitely going to find the money somewhere votes

are at stake !

regards Worgeordie

does thatl mean my rice crispies will be going up ? i probabaly have to stick to leo and toast

[Ulic]

Of course they are going to be paid their is an election to buy.

[phantomfiddler]

I once read that the most terrifying thing in the world was ignorance in action, but couple it with greed and stupidity and now you,re cooking There is a mathematical term called "an unstable equation", in this case introduced by Pheu Thai in order to gain votes. When will the penny really drop ?

[fstarbkk]

I think the Government is going to have to contact Wonga

or one of those other pay day loan providers.

They are definitely going to find the money somewhere votes

are at stake !

regards Worgeordie

does thatl mean my rice crispies will be going up ? i probabaly have to stick to leo and toast

Possibly just toast. I suspect they use rice to make Leo too.

[Ricardo]

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong has apologized the farmers for the delay, saying that the payment process was being disrupted during the 3-week seizure by the People's Democratic Reform Committee last November. Nonetheless he said that the ministry has urged the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to accelerate the process. He said the BAAC has set aside 10 billion baht to pay farmers who already pledged their crops but yet to receive the payment within January 15th.

So the caretaker-DPM/FM now blames a 5-month delay in payment on a 3-week excuse, yet another 'white lie', to fool the poor peasants who he's supposed to care so much about ?

The protests never affected the BAAC, the problems lie squarely with the government, who have failed repeatedly to fund the scheme properly, the protesters never blocked the bank, it is the government which has failed to reimburse the bank on-time, partly because they've failed to sell rice on-time.

The farmers have been reassured many times, over the past several weeks, that PTP would make this problem go away, and they've failed, miserably.