Rice farmers heading to Bangkok to try and oust govt

[webfact]

RICE SCHEME
Rice farmers heading to Bangkok to try and oust govt
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- FARMERS in Phichit plan to head to Bangkok this week with the ultimate goal of ousting the government, which they blame for long delayed payments for their rice in the pledging scheme.

We will mobilise hundreds of farm vehicles in our march to the capital," Northern Farmers Network chairman Kittisak Rattanawaraha said yesterday.

Farmers and supporters of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) decided to end their rally in front of the Phichit City Hall after their activities failed to get a positive response from the government.

Initially, disgruntled farmers gathered in Phichit only to demand payment for paddy rice submitted months ago under the government's pledging scheme. However, as the government has continued to delay payment, they have decided to move to the next step.

PDRC supporters, meanwhile, have rallied against the government for months already.

Although the demonstrators left Phichit City Hall unhappy yesterday, they demanded that no officials enter the office to work. Some demonstrators were left behind to watch over the hall.

Leading PDRC figure Satit Wongnongtaey revealed that he was in the process of finding a lawyer for the Thai Rice Farmers Association president, Prasit Booncheuy, who plans to sue the government over the delay in payment.

"I have plunged into debt because of the policy of this government," lamented Somkuan Songjaeng, one of the farmers.

The delay in payment has forced farmers to turn to loan sharks to cover their daily expenses.

According to an informed source, just 7,000 out of nearly 50,000 farmers registered under the rice-pledging scheme via the Phichit branch of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) have been paid. The source said the branch could not pay all farmers because it had yet to get additional funds from the government.

Meanwhile, farmers from Angthong, Chai Nat, and Sing Buri have vowed to block the Asian Highway in Sing Buri today(Jan22) to demand payment for their rice in the scheme.

In Uttaradit, farmers have blocked a road for days in Phichai district to demand the payment from the scheme. The blockade has seriously affected local traffic.


-- The Nation 2014-01-22

[hughben]

Well, in their eyes, they have nothing to lose.

It will be an interesting next few days if the farmers block major motorways/highways.

Aren't people supposed to be returning to their home provinces and registering to vote in a supposed election in little over a week?

[PatOngo]

The worm is turning

[ricku]

Wow. Rice farmers and the "elite", working side by side to topple the government.

And after they have succeeded? Will they still stand side by side?

Edited January 22, 2014 by ricku

[MaxLee]

Mr. Kittirat is waiting for orders from Dubai,....

[mrtoad]

Looks like more and more are seeing the con. Yingluck better get her flights booked soon.

[keith101]

is it possible that the S.O.E. is a way in which the Govt wants to keep the farmers out of Bangkok and stop them from joining the protest . do they really think this will stop them from voting against them in the next election. is TS really tha stupid to think he can control them by instigating a state of emergency me thinks not because they are not that stupid .

[noikrit]

The Farmers are now voicing there objection to the PTP SHIN Goverment ,.... Now that really is a " State of Emergency" for the Government ...

[soi41]

is it possible that the S.O.E. is a way in which the Govt wants to keep the farmers out of Bangkok and stop them from joining the protest . do they really think this will stop them from voting against them in the next election. is TS really tha stupid to think he can control them by instigating a state of emergency me thinks not because they are not that stupid .

Then let the ballotbox do the talking!!

[virtualtraveller]

Suthep and co can all go home now, they must be getting tired, the next shift (from the North) is due. After that it will be the rubber farmers and corn farmers, and rural doctors. And still this govt can insist 'we come from elections', lets have an election.

[LarryBird]

Too bad BKK insulted the northern working class. They'd rather die than vote alongside them.

[gerrythepoet]

Farmers, agreed Thailand is an agricultural based economy and the distribution of this land is not only in the provinces mentioned. If one has the support of the majority of all the farming provinces then the Govt will lose the next election. It seems to me that what is happening is that the PRDC are using the sorrows of the indebted farmers as ammunition against the Govt. If one has the ISSAN farmers on the protest march then all chaos will break loose.

[Spalpeen]

Looks like the Democrat party might have a chance of winning this election. Oh no, hang on a second.......Doh!........they haven't bothered to register any candidates. Maybe next time.

[ianf]

Wow. Rice farmers and the "elite", working side by side to topple the government.

And after they have succeeded? Will they still stand side by side?

The protestors in Bangkok are not necessarily 'eli te'. One of the most elites of the elites lives in Dubai. Another is the prime minister and there are a few more in the Cabinet. Oh! I know rural folk from Chataburi have been in Bangkok for a long time.

I think we should end this talk of elite and so on. Yes, there are elites on both sides. Yes there are lumpen on both sides. But by referring to elites in the way you do you continue the division created by Khun Dubai in order to perpetuate a myth.

[LuckyLew]

Good for them ... finally smelling the coffee

[h90]

Wow. Rice farmers and the "elite", working side by side to topple the government.

And after they have succeeded? Will they still stand side by side?

since when is the Bangkok middle class and southern rubber farmers the elite?

the elite thing is a pure red propaganda. Elite is Singha, Thaksin, CP, etc etc who definitely don't support Suthep.

[Baerboxer]

Looks like the Democrat party might have a chance of winning this election. Oh no, hang on a second.......Doh!........they haven't bothered to register any candidates. Maybe next time.

What election? You still think it will happen?

[IMA_FARANG]

Now that's interesting to think about.

Just as an example:

• Let's just suppose that since there will be an "emergency" decree in effect in Bangkok soon
• And let's say that (pick a random number) 500 farmers show up in Bangkok
• Who, let's just say, are all wearing red shirts and are government supporters carrying pictures of Thaksin.
• And they peacefully assemble outside the bank demanding their money as they were promised by the government.
• Then under the emergency decree, will the Police arrest and detain all 500 of those government supporters for violating that emergency decree.
• And in that detention process confiscate and destroy their placards with Thaksin's photo on them?.

Just asking.

[Aardvark]

Pardon my ignorance, but from the Names in the Report I don't think there are any Issan Farmers involved ....

[kamahele]

Our family wont' be protesting as they didn't sell their rice to the government. They are busy planting the next crop. Lucky for them.

[CMfoodie]

Followed by the New Car Rebate owners protest, The Longan Farmers protest, The Rubber Tree growers protest, et al.

[gbswales]

the democrats should have registered for the election irrespective of the protests - the very word democrat means that they should be supporting the democratic process - by boycotting them they have disenfranchised their supporters and if the PTP get re-elected they will be legally able to pay the rice farmers and others thereby winning back the support they seem in danger of losing at the moment. You cannot declare a government as illegitimate on the basis that they know or are related to Thaksin, you have to win the hearts and minds of people and get their votes. An unelected peoples council is about as legitimate as a military coup or communist revolution. All that would happen is that they would attempt to "reform politics" but in reality give the PTP time to regroup and regain their popularity - if they get their way then they can never risk free elections again.

[Mrjlh]

I just wonder how many "Red Shirt" followers are now realizing just how screwed over they have been by the people they believe in? So many false promises over the years that have failed to materialize. I would bet they still have the "blinders" on to see the real truth behind their own party.

What's even more disturbing is how you can tell simply on this board which party posters support just by the postings they make. There are issues with "all" political parties without argument, but you need to pick the one that does the best for all of Thailand and not just for themselves. It's hard to convince people to look at the "whole picture" and not if it is the PTP, Democrat, Red, Yellow, Blue, Rainbow, or any other color you have. It is time for Thais to see that. Open your eyes.

That is what appears to be the happening now simply by the actions how many different groups and associations are speaking out against the current government and corrupt politicians. Unfortunately there are those who still won't retreat or compromise including even some of those demonstrating. Getting all concerned to actually stop and talk will be almost impossible with current attitudes. Will this happen and to what effect? That will be seen in the coming days or weeks or now even months. Hopefully Thailand will be able to once again move forward. JMHO.

[Halion]

There is a significant police presence stopping vehicles from the north coming to Bangkok. It is purported that they are looking for firearms however the truth is that they are simply trying to intimidate northern farmers from joining in the protest.

Thaksin's mercenary's at work again.

[animatic]

is it possible that the S.O.E. is a way in which the Govt wants to keep the farmers out of Bangkok and stop them from joining the protest . do they really think this will stop them from voting against them in the next election. is TS really tha stupid to think he can control them by instigating a state of emergency me thinks not because they are not that stupid .

Then let the ballotbox do the talking!!

They will, when enough embarrassment is accrued by Thaksin Political Machine to adequately nullify it's over-reaching power. The damage is of it's own making, but it still has to be made clear and significant enough to the masses in Issan to be believed, hence the delay.

[tingtongteesood]

the democrats should have registered for the election irrespective of the protests - the very word democrat means that they should be supporting the democratic process - by boycotting them they have disenfranchised their supporters and if the PTP get re-elected they will be legally able to pay the rice farmers and others thereby winning back the support they seem in danger of losing at the moment. You cannot declare a government as illegitimate on the basis that they know or are related to Thaksin, you have to win the hearts and minds of people and get their votes. An unelected peoples council is about as legitimate as a military coup or communist revolution. All that would happen is that they would attempt to "reform politics" but in reality give the PTP time to regroup and regain their popularity - if they get their way then they can never risk free elections again.

That is why the democrats resigned from parliament and boycotted the election - because Thailand does not have democracy. Elections are a part of the democratic process but there is a lot more to it than that. They want reform before elections, same as the protestors and that reform is badly needed because PT keep perverting the laws to suit themselves and getting further and further away from democracy. They hide behind it when it suits them 'we were elected' but Thaksin does not want the checks and balances that real democracy brings with it, he wants all the power for himself. When there is the chance that true democracy may be allowed to start here, I am sure the Deems will be back.

[promatrix]

Looks like more and more are seeing the con. Yingluck better get her flights booked soon.

Weeks ago she already declaired she would not be running away.

May she rot in pieces.

[Fat Haggis]

Where wil Suthep and the "peoples council" get the money to pay the farmers, if the Governement doesn't have it?

[kurnell]

So if the elite and the rice farmers won't vote for Yingluck then who will?

[Thait Spot]

Where wil Suthep and the "peoples council" get the money to pay the farmers, if the Governement doesn't have it?

Seek and ye shall find.

The government has maxed out on its BACC overdraft of a massive 500 billion baht.

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