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

[belg]

how long will his farce go on ?

[soalbundy]

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.

Our rice farm is in Issan and no we haven't been paid yet. They have "only" had to wait 1 month so far which is why their patience hasn't been to thinly stretched yet although many are desperate. I doubt that many have the money to join a demonstration.

[Frotting]

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...

Another Thaksin supporter I see. The government did have the money to pay but decided to use it to line their, and their master's, pockets instead. This whole thing is deliberate and part of a bigger agenda to grab land from the poor farmers when they can no longer feed themselves. Land that was given to them by Rama V you'll remember. Guess who the new owners of the land will be? International corporations through Thai nominees, like Monsanto for example. Of course the Shinawatra dynasty will get their cut as promised. You really need to see who Thaksin is in bed with to know how all of this will pan out.

[rickirs]

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.

Would banks not refused if Suthep didn't threaten them with occupation or more drastic actions? From an enterprise viewpont the government offered a very high interest rate compared to what the banks could get from conventional loans and the banks would otherwise agree. Banks do not care about political agendas, only profit and loss for their investors. Then the EC oversteps its authority by telling the administration that it cannot even apply for loans as a caretaker government due to the "significant" value of the loans. Now Suthep is challenging the government's ability to even get any loans in the Constitutional Court. And the Government is blamed for not paying off the farmers? Rice A Roni to people who think so.

[NCFC]

So disrespectful.

Please explain.

Sent from my iPhone using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[soalbundy]

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.

Ah yes, Classic Enlightened Western Econ 101. If the government and the banks & grossly over-paid CEO's screw up the economy and create a situation that puts the financial system at risk, the obvious thing to do is to punish those who are already the victims ... the tax payers. That will add another burden to the weakened economy, but at the least those who are to blame for the mess won't lose. If it costs them anything, they'll just raise prices and rents.

Actually there is already a land tax. On rice fields at any rate, the insane thing is, if we don't produce any more superfluous rice on the land, the tax goes up !!!

[wprime]

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.

In Buriram they were complaining.

[marcusd]

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...

the government through its inept handling of fiscal policy has passed many bills to borrow money from anyone foolish enough to lend.

However because of the government ineptitude, no one will lend money to Thailand. Thailand is just above JUNK STATUS now. So that is why the farmers cannot be paid. No one wants to,loan this rotten ruthless government a dime

Sent from my RM-892_apac_laos_thailand_219 using Tapatalk

[sam sen]

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

... and an opposition worth its salt should be able to exploit this and kick them out at the next election...

[rebelplatoon]

The vicious circle that is caused by this Government. You (the Chinese Thai Government in charge) promise money but then don't pay it. Then the farmers need to plant the next crop. In order to do this they need to borrow money from the (Chinese) money lenders (Loan Sharks) at ridiculous rates so that all the people in charge STAY forever in charge. Thailand needs co operatives but every time farmers stand up, the leaders mysteriously disappear. Who are the Rich and wealthy and who are the "slaves" now, pray tell me??

[metisdead]

A post in violation of the following rule has been removed as well as a reply:

2) Not to express disrespect of the King of Thailand or anyone else in the Thai royal family, whether living or deceased, nor to criticize the monarchy as an institution. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family. Discussion of the lese majeste law or lese majeste cases is permitted on the forum, providing no comment or speculation is made referencing the royal family. To breach this rule will result in immediate ban.

[casualbiker]

I can't help have a feeling that you people is naive enough to expect Yingluck govt to make money out of this scheme, but instead, the government loose money (which make you mad).

I think we might as well go back to Dems scheme, where by Govt just keep signing cheques to who so ever care file for the rice money, without even seeing the physical rice.

Really! Are you sure?

it was my understanding that the Democrats scheme basically topped up the price (a subsidy)

The rice still had to be sold to the mill's / exporters. And the top up was paid on those receipts..I may well be wrong though... any one out there got firsthand knowledge (as in actually did it)

Thanks

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[DGIE]

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

Agree! That's normal with most governments around the world!!

[casualbiker]

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

But it isn't self financing even if that was the intent. They have to take a loan to pay the farmers and legally can't. I'm not an apologist, I'm a realist.

Who say's they legally can't?

And if they are not sure they should get the constitution court (or whoever) to tell them catorgorically if they can or cannot!

And if what you say is TRUE that they legally can't. WHY are they trying to get one!

ALSO why are the loans that they requested on 15 year terms if they are just short term bridging loans?????

[DGIE]

Farmers should also have expressed their anger by means of vote against those involved in the rice-pledging scheme.

And if all of them voted in favor of the opposition, I think that huge number of farmers' would be great plus votes to oppositions and big lost of votes to the government candidates.

Oppositions are really weak if with the number of farmers counted for them still don't make them win.

[casualbiker]

Farmers should also have expressed their anger by means of vote against those involved in the rice-pledging scheme.

And if all of them voted in favor of the opposition, I think that huge number of farmers' would be great plus votes to oppositions and big lost of votes to the government candidates.

Oppositions are really weak if with the number of farmers counted for them still don't make them win.

What opposition? The Democrats didn't contest the election.. so next best thing. Check out the "NO " voters.

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[Mr Yim]

With everyone in Thailand dissatisfied with this corrupt, inept government, you wonder why the democrats didnt fight the election.

[hotrod4098]

i think a lot of people when reading the rice pledge scam seem to think its just a case not getting paid by all farmers not the case

1..you did not have to join the scheme..

2..you had to have a certain amount of rai..to be worth while.

3.you could have sold it on the day it was cut ..locally...

greed got to the farmers in a big way..and brainwashed...sisaket was going for 12 thb a kilo..not sure what the pledge was paying...so drop in a 100 x 56 kilo sacks..paid on the day ..cash in hand job done now problems....

pledge...i wont more ..i greedy..sell to government...and they did...and got nothing...there was no need to sell to the government except sheer greed..

they got what they deserved,,now its whinge time,,i have not been paid...you reap what you sow...

ps..the village i lived in was buying rice from moo ban at say 14 a kilo then storing it to sell to the government..thinking 2 thb a kilo profit was good cash..a lot of people where in on the pledge.and lost money...

money no 1... no thinking involved

[robblok]

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.

Just let the gov loan .. its against the constitution and will get them banned from politics. They made the mess they can so easily solve it but the cost for them is too high so let the farmers suffer.

[englishoak]

Great idea from the farmers to ask for help from one above politics, im sure HM the king being the person he is will with his vast wealth and influence help the poor farmers in their hour of need.

[Mentors]

Maybe in future the Bangkokian whistle mob has to plant some rice in the fancy rooftop bars...

[samuidave]

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

"In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of." ~ Confucius

SO WHAT does this say about Thailand's I leptocratic governance, with millions of low income farmers suffering recklessly at the hands of these 'democratically', self-appointed thieves??

Anyone in Thailand who can support such a regime is either a dunce or on the take.

Edited February 4, 2014 by samuidave

[JesseFrank]

Maybe in future the Bangkokian whistle mob has to plant some rice in the fancy rooftop bars...

Not need, they can import from India or Vietnam at cheaper prices than Isaan .

Edited February 4, 2014 by JesseFrank

[samuidave]

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...

ARE you for Real???

You must be stoned or dreaming, because this government has not, does not, and will not intend to pay because they have already stolen the money!

"If you are going to be stupid, you might as well go all the way and be retarded": Bill Blum.

[DrDweeb]

Farmers should also have expressed their anger by means of vote against those involved in the rice-pledging scheme.

And if all of them voted in favor of the opposition, I think that huge number of farmers' would be great plus votes to oppositions and big lost of votes to the government candidates.

Oppositions are really weak if with the number of farmers counted for them still don't make them win.

When one has vested one's "faith" in a perseon or deity, it takes quite a lot to change said "faith".

There are not enough farmers starving yet ... but it is the likely outcome. I can personally point to plenty that haven't been paid since they handed over their rice in October.

Blaming the opposition for not capitalizing on this, is to misunderstand the reality.

The government has to go down and go down hard, at the hands of an angry mob (think Young Frankenstein) with farming implements in hand. That is the level of discontent that will be needed, because as I wrote, it will take a lot for people to realise that their faith in Thaksin and his puppet YM and PTP was sorely misplaced and that they have been shafted. The sad part is that TS and Co. are in the process of destroying and bankrupting Thailand and the people who are Thailand.

I actually hope the international loan market hammers Thailand into submission and that the cost of being bailed out is serious gaol time for TS,YL and the whole leadership of PTP. It might serve as an example to future politicians that their obligations are to the people, rather than to themselves and their cronies.

[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.

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.

Hang on a bit, I need to get my tinfoil hat.

[Notable]

Given the amount owed and the number of farmers involved (reportedly 1.2 million) , it's hard to image why they all voted to return the same government.

[jpeg]

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.

Hang on a bit, I need to get my tinfoil hat.

This is in fact true. The Fed is privately owned. Imagine that. A privately owned 'company' owning the USA's money supply. So not such a leap to believe that Thailand's is too. Some posters on here would do well to seek alternative sources to news other than online editions of their favourite newspaper 'back home', or, God forbid, any of the local offerings. There's lots out there. You can use a search engine can't you?

[Pib]

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.

Hang on a bit, I need to get my tinfoil hat.

This is in fact true. The Fed is privately owned. Imagine that. A privately owned 'company' owning the USA's money supply. So not such a leap to believe that Thailand's is too. Some posters on here would do well to seek alternative sources to news other than online editions of their favourite newspaper 'back home', or, God forbid, any of the local offerings. There's lots out there. You can use a search engine can't you?

http://www.factcheck.org/2008/03/federal-reserve-bank-ownership/

[3NUMBAS]

' the peasants are starving and have no bread '

'well let them eat cake '

result a bloodbath

fast forward 215 years and same bloodbath