Desperate Thai farmers seek help from King to get rice-scheme payments

[webfact]

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Desperate farmers seek help from King to get rice-scheme payments
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- FARMERS WILL appeal to His Majesty the King on Thursday over their plight resulting from overdue payments owing from the rice-pledging scheme.

A farmer leader, Prakasit Jaemjumrat, said the group was gathering names and signatures of affected farmers in Phichit, Phitsanulok, Kamphaeng Phet and Nakhon Sawan to submit a petition to the Royal Household Bureau on Thursday.

They said after all previous attempts to gain attention, including road blockades, their complaints had fallen on deaf ears.

Prakasit said that Phichit province alone saw the caretaker government owing Bt7.5 billion in pledged rice payments to 40,000 farmers.

Meanwhile, some 1,000 farmers from Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Ratchaburi gathered at Ratchaburi's Wang Manao intersection yesterday and totally blocked the Phet Kasem Road. Southbound traffic flows through Phet Kasem and Rama II roads formed 10km-long traffic congestion.

Farmers' representative Ravee Rungreung said if the caretaker government wouldn't send a representative to negotiate with them, they would continue the road blockage - for months if needed - until they were paid. Apologising to motorists for the inconvenience, he said the farmers were severely affected and had run out of solutions to get the caretaker government's attention on the issue.

Some 500 farmers from Phichit, Nakhon Sawan, Khamphaeng Phet, Sukhothai and Phitsanulok blocked one Bangkok-bound lane of a road in front of the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives (BAAC)'s Bung Na Rang branch in Phichit yesterday, calling for the pledged rice payments. The group said this would be their final battle to get answers about pledged rice payments from the caretaker government.

The farmers at the rally also registered and submitted their documents for the royal petition. Ang Thong agriculture council president Songpol Pulsawat said that a letter from Ang Thong farmers to the caretaker government - via the provincial governor on January 22 - for the overdue payments to be paid by January 31, hadn't seen any progress. As a result, the farmers would block a main road in the province on February 6.

The group wanted the caretaker government to pay them for the pledged rice or let the farmers borrow money from the BAAC, with the caretaker government covering the loan interest for them. The farmers expected a caretaker government representative to pick up their demand by February 6 at the rally site - or else the road blockade would continue, he added.

-- The Nation 2014-02-04

[JRSoul]

"Your loveliness goes on and on, yes it does." Peter Sarstedt

[DrDweeb]

Oh dear, it seems I was right. I hope we see more of this.

The Thai rural population are largely uneducated it is true, but one does not need a PhD to recognise when one has been well and truly shafted by the Govt. of the day. An agreement has been entered into in good faith by the farmers and they have the not unreasonable expectation that it will be honoured. Seems the Govt. has other ideas and has had for quite some time.

[Noi657]

Promise something... Get the votes... Don't deliver! Sounds like most governments around the world!!

[Emptyset]

Oh dear, it seems I was right. I hope we see more of this.

The Thai rural population are largely uneducated it is true, but one does not need a PhD to recognise when one has been well and truly shafted by the Govt. of the day. An agreement has been entered into in good faith by the farmers and they have the not unreasonable expectation that it will be honoured. Seems the Govt. has other ideas and has had for quite some time.

You make it sound like the govt is making the deliberate choice not to pay the farmers when they've been trying to unsuccesfully borrow money to pay them since December. Of course, the govt is stupid and incompetent for not sorting out the payment before house was dissolved, but to say it 'seems' like the govt has 'other ideas' about paying them is just not true.

Seeing 'more of this' would mean more farmers are struggling as they haven't been paid. Is that honestly what you want to see? What do you think it will achieve? If the govt could pay them, it would. The only way they're going to be paid - unless the EC says otherwise - is when parliamentary quorum is achieved and a government can be seated. So those who actually care about the farmers getting paid should surely wish for successful and swift resolution of the political crisis instead of hoping for more disruption.

Sure, it hurts the government, but it also hurts the farmers themselves. I don't blame them for protesting against the govt, yet it will have no effect as the problem is currently insoluble. In fact, if they wanted the money faster, they should protest against the EC - because they could make a decision to allow the govt to borrow the money. And if the PDRC went home today, the farmers have a good chance of getting paid within a few weeks, if the protests continue, it could be months...

[oldthaihand99]

The banks are refusing to provide loans to pay the farmers.

The courts are holding 40 + billion stolen from TS that could go to the farmers.

But where are the farmers protesting? At the banks or courts? No, somewhere out in no man's land that nobody cares about.

It seems if you want your protests to get people's attention, you need to take them to the appropriate places in Bangkok.

[kurnell]

They need to open a casino to generate cash to pay the farmers.

[chainarong]

Unfortunately the farmers plight has been created by the PTParty, so therefore it stands to reason that the farmers should contact Yingluck Shinawatra, it will be of no use what so ever to go to third parties, their argument is with the government , apply pressure farmers of Thailand make your voice heard above the noise, everybody else is , one way or another, nothing will be achieved on traveling this route.

[Habs]

Oh dear, it seems I was right. I hope we see more of this.

The Thai rural population are largely uneducated it is true, but one does not need a PhD to recognise when one has been well and truly shafted by the Govt. of the day. An agreement has been entered into in good faith by the farmers and they have the not unreasonable expectation that it will be honoured. Seems the Govt. has other ideas and has had for quite some time.

You make it sound like the govt is making the deliberate choice not to pay the farmers when they've been trying to unsuccesfully borrow money to pay them since December. Of course, the govt is stupid and incompetent for not sorting out the payment before house was dissolved, but to say it 'seems' like the govt has 'other ideas' about paying them is just not true.

Seeing 'more of this' would mean more farmers are struggling as they haven't been paid. Is that honestly what you want to see? What do you think it will achieve? If the govt could pay them, it would. The only way they're going to be paid - unless the EC says otherwise - is when parliamentary quorum is achieved and a government can be seated. So those who actually care about the farmers getting paid should surely wish for successful and swift resolution of the political crisis instead of hoping for more disruption.

Sure, it hurts the government, but it also hurts the farmers themselves. I don't blame them for protesting against the govt, yet it will have no effect as the problem is currently insoluble. In fact, if they wanted the money faster, they should protest against the EC - because they could make a decision to allow the govt to borrow the money. And if the PDRC went home today, the farmers have a good chance of getting paid within a few weeks, if the protests continue, it could be months...

Which planet have you been on. The government had many chances to pay but pockted the money instead. -- --

[Thait Spot]

Well, good luck to the farmers.

If the government get the loan from KTB that a well known "lady" is touting for, it will still take 10 months to pay the current lot of bills

[ramrod711]

The banks are refusing to provide loans to pay the farmers.

The courts are holding 40 + billion stolen from TS that could go to the farmers.

But where are the farmers protesting? At the banks or courts? No, somewhere out in no man's land that nobody cares about.

It seems if you want your protests to get people's attention, you need to take them to the appropriate places in Bangkok.

The courts are holding 40 + billion stolen from TS that could go to the farmers.

Not according to Thaksin, in Forbes magazine he claims that the government returned 30 billion of his money. As for paying the farmers, seems like no farmers are complaining in Issan. Thaksin once said that you should vote for him if you expect to get anything from his government, i guess he wasn't lying....that time.

[lostinsurin]

Suthep and his mob the yellows are doing all they can to stop the farmers getting paid,

even threatening any bank that makes funds available.

So lets hope they get the help they need.

[oldthaihand99]

The banks are refusing to provide loans to pay the farmers.

The courts are holding 40 + billion stolen from TS that could go to the farmers.

But where are the farmers protesting? At the banks or courts? No, somewhere out in no man's land that nobody cares about.

It seems if you want your protests to get people's attention, you need to take them to the appropriate places in Bangkok.

The courts are holding 40 + billion stolen from TS that could go to the farmers.

Not according to Thaksin, in Forbes magazine he claims that the government returned 30 billion of his money. As for paying the farmers, seems like no farmers are complaining in Issan. Thaksin once said that you should vote for him if you expect to get anything from his government, i guess he wasn't lying....that time.

I read 1 billion USD was returned to Tax-in. 1.3 billion is still stolen of the total 2.3 billion.

Edited February 4, 2014 by oldthaihand99

[noitom]

They need to open a casino to generate cash to pay the farmers.

Tax real estate in Thailand - it's a sitting duck goldmine and revenue source.

[lovetotravel]

Suthep and his mob the yellows are doing all they can to stop the farmers getting paid,

even threatening any bank that makes funds available.

So lets hope they get the help they need.

Payments have been behind since well before the protests in November. Don't blame the protesters for this. Fault lies with the government.

[ezzra]

Just wondering to whom they have given their vote this time? to the all mighty Mr. T

or have they woken up to his gambit already??/

[GAZZPA]

Promise something... Get the votes... Don't deliver! Sounds like most governments around the world!!

An element of truth in that perhaps,, but the rice pledging scheme is not comparable.

These farmers are going to lose everything if no solution is found for them very soon. Most other governments in more developed countries may break a promise or two but I don't recall seeing this kind of thing before with the government owing money to the people.

I wish people would stop belittling the situation here but saying "well others are the same", clearly they are not.

[oldthaihand99]

Promise something... Get the votes... Don't deliver! Sounds like most governments around the world!!

An element of truth in that perhaps,, but the rice pledging scheme is not comparable.

These farmers are going to lose everything if no solution is found for them very soon. Most other governments in more developed countries may break a promise or two but I don't recall seeing this kind of thing before with the government owing money to the people.

I wish people would stop belittling the situation here but saying "well others are the same", clearly they are not.

Lose everything? Really? I heard there's free food at Suthep's protests.

[GAZZPA]

Suthep and his mob the yellows are doing all they can to stop the farmers getting paid,

even threatening any bank that makes funds available.

So lets hope they get the help they need.

this rice scam has been going on a lot longer then the protests. The late payments started long before anyone took to the streets.

Don't be fooled, you may or my not agree with the protests but the protesters had nothing to do with this scheme and have no influence on it today. If you want to assign blame for the late / non existent payments then blame the right people and I don't need to tell you who they are I'm sure.

[Showbags]

Yet they keep voting for the same guy.....

[JRSoul]

Oh dear, it seems I was right. I hope we see more of this.

The Thai rural population are largely uneducated it is true, but one does not need a PhD to recognise when one has been well and truly shafted by the Govt. of the day. An agreement has been entered into in good faith by the farmers and they have the not unreasonable expectation that it will be honoured. Seems the Govt. has other ideas and has had for quite some time.

You make it sound like the govt is making the deliberate choice not to pay the farmers when they've been trying to unsuccesfully borrow money to pay them since December. Of course, the govt is stupid and incompetent for not sorting out the payment before house was dissolved, but to say it 'seems' like the govt has 'other ideas' about paying them is just not true.

Seeing 'more of this' would mean more farmers are struggling as they haven't been paid. Is that honestly what you want to see? What do you think it will achieve? If the govt could pay them, it would. The only way they're going to be paid - unless the EC says otherwise - is when parliamentary quorum is achieved and a government can be seated. So those who actually care about the farmers getting paid should surely wish for successful and swift resolution of the political crisis instead of hoping for more disruption.

Sure, it hurts the government, but it also hurts the farmers themselves. I don't blame them for protesting against the govt, yet it will have no effect as the problem is currently insoluble. In fact, if they wanted the money faster, they should protest against the EC - because they could make a decision to allow the govt to borrow the money. And if the PDRC went home today, the farmers have a good chance of getting paid within a few weeks, if the protests continue, it could be months...

You fail to address that the caretaker government has no RIGHT to borrow more money to prop up a failed policy which has wasted huge amounts of taxpayer's funds. That they are attempting to do so is more to raise their electorate status than any concern for farmer's plight IMHO.

[jonesthebaker]

They need to open a casino to generate cash to pay the farmers.

Tax real estate in Thailand - it's a sitting duck goldmine and revenue source.

typical americkano view of things. but - property is already taxed evertime in changes hands so at whcih poin do you suggest taxing property

[thhMan]

Well well... Nobody is smiling in Thailand now eh!

[casualbiker]

Oh dear, it seems I was right. I hope we see more of this.

The Thai rural population are largely uneducated it is true, but one does not need a PhD to recognise when one has been well and truly shafted by the Govt. of the day. An agreement has been entered into in good faith by the farmers and they have the not unreasonable expectation that it will be honoured. Seems the Govt. has other ideas and has had for quite some time.

You make it sound like the govt is making the deliberate choice not to pay the farmers when they've been trying to unsuccesfully borrow money to pay them since December. Of course, the govt is stupid and incompetent for not sorting out the payment before house was dissolved, but to say it 'seems' like the govt has 'other ideas' about paying them is just not true.

Seeing 'more of this' would mean more farmers are struggling as they haven't been paid. Is that honestly what you want to see? What do you think it will achieve? If the govt could pay them, it would. The only way they're going to be paid - unless the EC says otherwise - is when parliamentary quorum is achieved and a government can be seated. So those who actually care about the farmers getting paid should surely wish for successful and swift resolution of the political crisis instead of hoping for more disruption.

Sure, it hurts the government, but it also hurts the farmers themselves. I don't blame them for protesting against the govt, yet it will have no effect as the problem is currently insoluble. In fact, if they wanted the money faster, they should protest against the EC - because they could make a decision to allow the govt to borrow the money. And if the PDRC went home today, the farmers have a good chance of getting paid within a few weeks, if the protests continue, it could be months...

You fail to address that the caretaker government has no RIGHT to borrow more money to prop up a failed policy which has wasted huge amounts of taxpayer's funds. That they are attempting to do so is more to raise their electorate status than any concern for farmer's plight IMHO.

The Government apologists also refuse to understand that the government should not even NEED to get loans for this scheme. It was designed to be self financing (yet. Right) The government should have the funds to pay. They don't! (Or do they as some people keep stating)

If they have the money. Pay the farmers. If they don't, come clean about what a failure this scheme is!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[casualbiker]

They need to open a casino to generate cash to pay the farmers.

Tax real estate in Thailand - it's a sitting duck goldmine and revenue source.

typical americkano view of things. but - property is already taxed evertime in changes hands so at whcih poin do you suggest taxing property

But empty properties are not. And many Thais buy property and just sit on it.. no one living there etc

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Suriya4]

So disrespectful.

[Bluespunk]

Oh dear, it seems I was right. I hope we see more of this.

The Thai rural population are largely uneducated it is true, but one does not need a PhD to recognise when one has been well and truly shafted by the Govt. of the day. An agreement has been entered into in good faith by the farmers and they have the not unreasonable expectation that it will be honoured. Seems the Govt. has other ideas and has had for quite some time.

You make it sound like the govt is making the deliberate choice not to pay the farmers when they've been trying to unsuccesfully borrow money to pay them since December. Of course, the govt is stupid and incompetent for not sorting out the payment before house was dissolved, but to say it 'seems' like the govt has 'other ideas' about paying them is just not true.

Seeing 'more of this' would mean more farmers are struggling as they haven't been paid. Is that honestly what you want to see? What do you think it will achieve? If the govt could pay them, it would. The only way they're going to be paid - unless the EC says otherwise - is when parliamentary quorum is achieved and a government can be seated. So those who actually care about the farmers getting paid should surely wish for successful and swift resolution of the political crisis instead of hoping for more disruption.

Sure, it hurts the government, but it also hurts the farmers themselves. I don't blame them for protesting against the govt, yet it will have no effect as the problem is currently insoluble. In fact, if they wanted the money faster, they should protest against the EC - because they could make a decision to allow the govt to borrow the money. And if the PDRC went home today, the farmers have a good chance of getting paid within a few weeks, if the protests continue, it could be months...

You fail to address that the caretaker government has no RIGHT to borrow more money to prop up a failed policy which has wasted huge amounts of taxpayer's funds. That they are attempting to do so is more to raise their electorate status than any concern for farmer's plight IMHO.

The Government apologists also refuse to understand that the government should not even NEED to get loans for this scheme. It was designed to be self financing (yet. Right) The government should have the funds to pay. They don't! (Or do they as some people keep stating)

If they have the money. Pay the farmers. If they don't, come clean about what a failure this scheme is!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Payment in many places was due in October and wasn't met.

The scheme is an utter failure and has been catastrophic for Thailand's rice industry. There is only one group to blame for the non payments, it's not the EC [they explained the law to PT and said on your head be it if there are legal proceedings. They didn't block any fund raising, they merely pointed out that it was illegal to do so], it's not the protests, it's PT and PT alone who are to blame.

The scheme never had any chance of working, it was flawed and inept economic thinking from the start. You cannot pay over the odds for a product and expect the rest of the world to pay the same inflated prices PT did [plenty of other sellers of rice out there, as the govt found out], the scheme was run at a massive, unsustainable loss and that is why there is no money to pay for the rice the farmers surrendered to PT last time round.

I don't blame the farmers, if I was in their position I'd do the same thing. However this scheme cannot work, it needs to be abandoned and more workable, viable policies introduced to replace it.

Edited February 4, 2014 by Bluespunk

[lostinsurin]

Suthep and his mob the yellows are doing all they can to stop the farmers getting paid,

even threatening any bank that makes funds available.

So lets hope they get the help they need.

Payments have been behind since well before the protests in November. Don't blame the protesters for this. Fault lies with the government.

Not blaming the protest, blaming the ones behind the protest they where there long before November.

[hgarwood]

I have no doubt that something is terribly wrong with the rice scheme. We hear stories of "billions of baht" in losses and that "massive corruption" pervades the program. What I can't understand is where is all of this money (the money that is being stolen, so to speak) coming from?

Lots of rice pledged, lots of rice sitting in full warehouses and over-flowing silos around the country (so we are told).....and very little sold apparently. But the rice has to be sold to produce any money (which attracts those prone to corruption) and yet we understand that not a lot has been sold. Seems only logical that there must have been (or is ongoing) selling of a huge amount of rice somehow, to someone, for some amount of money...... money that is definitely not flowing to the poor farmers. Perhaps we will find out at some point that these silos are not so full after all and that many of the warehouses are empty...... and everyone will wonder what happened to all that rice?

[Pakboong]

Oh dear, it seems I was right. I hope we see more of this.

The Thai rural population are largely uneducated it is true, but one does not need a PhD to recognise when one has been well and truly shafted by the Govt. of the day. An agreement has been entered into in good faith by the farmers and they have the not unreasonable expectation that it will be honoured. Seems the Govt. has other ideas and has had for quite some time.

Regardless of a Thai farmer's politics it is more than likely that it is not the current government who is pulling the strings here. Thailand, like most countries, has a Rothschild modeled, privately owned central bank which inflates and deflates the currency as it needs to. Virtually all banking is privately controlled by what are being referred to as the elite. It is very likely that Yingluck wants to pay but cannot because of the central banking process. Bankers can use this to discredit the current government and the beat goes on. This happens in the USA with the Federal Reserve and the average American has no idea that the Fed is a private, for profit, bank. There are not enough details on this to really nail it down but this is one of the arguments against private central banking.