Thai farmers threaten to occupy all rice warehouses after talks with Govt fail

[webfact]

Farmers threaten to occupy all rice warehouses after talks with Govt fail

BANGKOK, 10 February 2014 (NNT) - The negotiation between farmer protesters and the government has ended with a walkout after representatives of the government failed to give a clear date when it will pay farmers in the rice support program.

During the protesters’ meeting with the government officials on Monday, Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn said the government had continuously paid rice farmers over the past six months but payments had been delayed after that due to the dissolution of parliament. The caretaker government had asked for loans from commercial banks but it had been turned down, he said.

The minister said he would request the Cabinet meeting this Tuesday to approve central budget worth 712 million baht to pay the farmers.

The protesters showed contempt for the minister’s explanation and criticized the government for its lack of preparations before the house was dissolved. They walked out of the meeting in protest.

After the meeting, Chairman of the Northern Farmers’ Network Kittisak Rattanawaraha announced that the farmer protesters would occupy all rice warehouses across the country starting with the North from 10 February onward.


-- NNT 2014-02-10

[TVGerry]

They should do it. The rice in the warehouses atr their's anyway and they'll not see a cent of their money until the Shinawatras and their thieving cronies are gone. And seeing how the Shinawatras days are numbered, they may decide to help themselves to some of the rice before they're kicked out.

[webfact]

Farmers stage walkout from talk with govt
Petchanet Pratruangkrai
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- A group of rice farmers' representatives from 20 provinces Monday walked out from a high-profile meeting with government figures, after caretaker administration came up with no solutions for long-overdue payment under the pledging scheme.

They staged a walkout after they were told to ask banks for releasing loans to the government so that they could pay farmers.

The angry farmers said that they would continue their demonstration and pressure the government to resign as lack of capability to handle with its pledging policy.

The meeting was held at Defense Ministry, and joined by three caretaker ministers including Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan, Deputy Commerce Minister Natthawut Saikuar, and Minister to PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn.

Farmers walked out from the meeting after Niwatthumrong told them to ask banks in releasing loan for the government so that the government could have money to pay farmers.

He said in the meeting that the caretaker government could not borrow money from banks because of the protestors blocked the banks.


-- The Nation 2014-02-10

[bigbamboo]

Get off of my rice.

[DNPBC0]

Maybe the farmers should seek Suthep's help in putting pressure on the EC to clearly agree that the caretaker government can borrow the money. While this seems to be the obvious solution, Suthep may feel that any solution would undermine his current anti-government rhetoric.

[Red Snake]

They can do what the hell they like, they still can't squeeze blood out of a turnip

[cooked]

I believe that you must rule out common aims between the rice farmers and Suthep's anarchy party. The guys in Isaan just want their f(*&^ ing money, if they don't get it they won't be going to Bangkok for cosy pop concerts and picnics. But they will go back home when they get their cash. Some of the guys are going to loose their lands, house, car, everything if they don't get paid soon. Much more serious, direct, clear aims. ... that is what worries me.

[webfact]

Govt-farmer rice talks fail; farmers storm out of meeting
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Feb 10 – Farmer leaders today abruptly walked out of a meeting with key Cabinet members who failed to tell them when they would be paid for the rice they sold under the subsidy scheme.

The disgruntled farmers announced that state rice stockpiles nationwide would be seized, starting from the North, and the government would no longer have the legitimate authority to sell the rice acquired from farmers.

Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn was accompanied by three Cabinet members from the Agriculture, Commerce and Finance ministries in the meeting with farmers on the overdue payments issue.

Farmers insisted on a specific timing for the payments which, they said, have been delayed since October.

Mr Niwatthamrong said the government has successively paid to farmers during the last six months and that the payment delay was due to the House dissolution which poses restrictions on the caretaker government on spending.

He said it was also difficult for a caretaker government to borrow from financial institutions, promising that the caretaker Cabinet would be asked in its weekly meeting tomorrow to approve Bt712 million from the central fund to pay farmers.

The farmer representatives blamed the government for failing to work out preparations for rice payments before the House dissolution and negotiate with the Election Commission and financial institutions to allow the payments, leaving the burden on the farmers themselves.

They immediately left the meeting, saying they were dissatisfied with the negotiations.

Kittisak Ratanavaraha, leader of the Northern Farmers Network, said the government has now lost its legitimacy to sell the rice in the state stockpiles which will be sealed off nationwide, starting in the North today.

Protesting farmers moved back to the Commerce Ministry where they have staged a rally since the weekend. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-02-10

[tomacht8]

Where was Yingluck?
Why did she not take part in this conference?

She's the chairman of the rice committee and responsible!
Did she leave the country or what?

[EyesWideOpen]

Go farmers !!!!! Would be interesting if the downfall of the PTP was not by Suthep

leading people in Bangkok, but by angry farmers. Dissatisfaction at the grassroots

level has been the downfall of many a government.

[chainarong]

The farmers lot is not a happy one, they will gain very little occupying rice warehouses , if you need a feed of rice that's the place, if you want action from the government forget it, this government knows a poorly lead, disorganised group when it comes to farmers , the government has done it's homework time for the farmers to do their homework , bite the bullet and apply pressure, how they do that it is up to them, depends on how good they are at homework.

[than]

Protester block bank ???????

new joking answer from caretaker government..... Since 8 month you do nothing for farmer stop to search excuse for your failure !!!!!!!!!

Stop to give excuse for your corrupted scheme...........

[EyesWideOpen]

The farmers lot is not a happy one, they will gain very little occupying rice warehouses , if you need a feed of rice that's the place, if you want action from the government forget it, this government knows a poorly lead, disorganised group when it comes to farmers , the government has done it's homework time for the farmers to do their homework , bite the bullet and apply pressure, how they do that it is up to them, depends on how good they are at homework.

I have to agree, I somewhat fail to see the strategy of occupying rice

warehouses full of rotting rice that cannot be sold. How will this put pressure

on the government? Am I missing something ? They should take a tip from

their farm brothers in France. Not happy ? Take your farm equipment and

block all the roads. You will then see an instant government response....

[casualbiker]

Maybe the farmers should seek Suthep's help in putting pressure on the EC to clearly agree that the caretaker government can borrow the money. While this seems to be the obvious solution, Suthep may feel that any solution would undermine his current anti-government rhetoric.

You could also ask the question. Why haven't the caretaker government requested the constitutions courts opinion of what to do. They do after all claim that there are funds allocated within the central budget and that it is an existing debt. So why not get clarification ???

[bigbamboo]

Suthep should take a holiday and let PT carry out his mission for him.

[Robby nz]

Took 7 posts this time before the reds came out with a Suthep bash, getting slow you lot, try to do better.

The farmers should be doing an inventory of the rice in the warehouses while they are there.

I am sure they are better accountants than the PT thieves and can come up with a correct total of what is in storage.

[Spartakos]

Seized assets of the people responsible for that disaster scheme would be a good source or money to pay the farmers.

[MaxLee]

"Farmers threaten to occupy all rice warehouses after talks with Govt fail"

Dear rice farmers, just do it NOW, because there's no point to talk with reason to an elite of corrupt BLACK WHITE LIARS

[Scamper]

This is an interesting development. Indeed, the farmers own the rice in the silos. It's theirs. They grew it. They weren't paid for it. And one gets the sense it would be in more capable hands, to boot.

[Suriya4]

This is an interesting development. Indeed, the farmers own the rice in the silos. It's theirs. They grew it. They weren't paid for it. And one gets the sense it would be in more capable hands, to boot.

They can always take the rice back.

But the farmers don't want the rice.

[bigbamboo]

This is an interesting development. Indeed, the farmers own the rice in the silos. It's theirs. They grew it. They weren't paid for it. And one gets the sense it would be in more capable hands, to boot.

They can always take the rice back.

But the farmers don't want the rice.

The trouble is nor does anyone else!

[pmugghc]

@Pipkins: if the rally turnout is pathetic then why is the SoE needed?

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[connda]

Farmers stage walkout from talk with govt

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- A group of rice farmers' representatives from 20 provinces Monday walked out from a high-profile meeting with government figures, after caretaker administration came up with no solutions for long-overdue payment under the pledging scheme.

They staged a walkout after they were told to ask banks for releasing loans to the government so that they could pay farmers.

The angry farmers said that they would continue their demonstration and pressure the government to resign as lack of capability to handle with its pledging policy.

The meeting was held at Defense Ministry, and joined by three caretaker ministers including Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthumrong Boonsongpaisan, Deputy Commerce Minister Natthawut Saikuar, and Minister to PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn.

Farmers walked out from the meeting after Niwatthumrong told them to ask banks in releasing loan for the government so that the government could have money to pay farmers.

He said in the meeting that the caretaker government could not borrow money from banks because of the protestors blocked the banks.

-- The Nation 2014-02-10

Seems like the PTP and the Shinawatra clan just torpedoed their rural voting base. I wonder who will be next to promise the moon and not deliver. Thaksin should just buy the rice and sell it on the open market for a loss. How many billion baht do you need anyway? That would sew up the Thai political scene for the next decade. Just my humble opinion.

Edited February 10, 2014 by connda

[Old Man River]

I believe that you must rule out common aims between the rice farmers and Suthep's anarchy party. The guys in Isaan just want their f(*&^ ing money, if they don't get it they won't be going to Bangkok for cosy pop concerts and picnics. But they will go back home when they get their cash. Some of the guys are going to loose their lands, house, car, everything if they don't get paid soon. Much more serious, direct, clear aims. ... that is what worries me.

And in my opinion why the caretaker gov't has turned up the heat. These guys aren't walking around taking selfies.

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[Mosha]

Imagine the look on their faces at the sight of all that rotten rice.

[tezzainoz]

Where was Yingluck?

Why did she not take part in this conference?

She's the chairman of the rice committee and responsible!

Did she leave the country or what?

Why you even bother to ask

she is a spineless leader

a puppet for her brother

and she pulls the strings for her lower than me politicians

and it seems many members of the group who think she can do no wrong

[tezzainoz]

Maybe the farmers should seek Suthep's help in putting pressure on the EC to clearly agree that the caretaker government can borrow the money. While this seems to be the obvious solution, Suthep may feel that any solution would undermine his current anti-government rhetoric.

If you had bothered to take you dark glasses off you would see, Suthep is out there gathering donations for the farmers

while Yingluck and her thugs just think about the next BS Story they well tell

[Robby nz]

The farmers lot is not a happy one, they will gain very little occupying rice warehouses , if you need a feed of rice that's the place, if you want action from the government forget it, this government knows a poorly lead, disorganised group when it comes to farmers , the government has done it's homework time for the farmers to do their homework , bite the bullet and apply pressure, how they do that it is up to them, depends on how good they are at homework.

I have to agree, I somewhat fail to see the strategy of occupying rice

warehouses full of rotting rice that cannot be sold. How will this put pressure

on the government? Am I missing something ? They should take a tip from

their farm brothers in France. Not happy ? Take your farm equipment and

block all the roads. You will then see an instant government response....

You sure are missing something E W O, do you think the Govt wants anyone to se what is or is not in the warehouses ?

If the farmers take the media with them and show the world what they find it would be a huge blow for PT, probably the last straw.

Do you think everything would be in order in the warehouses with the (supposed) 18 million tons all neatly stacked in good order and accounted for ?

[tezzainoz]

Where was Yingluck?

Why did she not take part in this conference?

She's the chairman of the rice committee and responsible!

Did she leave the country or what?

Yingluk tells some great lies on the orders of her brother

But when the Going gets tough

Ying look get going, leaving some one else to handle the pressure