Farmers break into Thai Defence compound Monday

[webfact]

RICE-PLEDGING SCHEME
Farmers break into Defence compound Monday

BANGKOK: -- Farmers who broke into office of permanent secretary of defence on Monday broke down in tears as they spoke to military officers, saying they wanted to meet the premier to ask when her government will pay them pledged rice money.

They had been waiting outside the office compound since early morning but had failed to meet with officials.

About noon, they tore down the barbed wire and forced their way into the compound. They were met by antiriot soldiers who showed no resistance as the farmers pushed them aside with their hands.

The office sent two military officers to talk to the farmers. Many of the farmers started crying as they talked to negotiators.

Over the past week, the caretaker government has been seeking funds to pay the farmers what they are owed under the ricepledging scheme.

Yingluck declined to meet the farmers who travelled to the capital to seek an explanation about the scheme as well as the payments they are owed.


-- The Nation 2014-02-17

[Red Snake]

As if the PM can ask what is your name? Oh yes, your check should be mailed out tomorrow. Next?

[Gonzo the Face]

Sez it all " Yingluck declined to meet with the farmers"

If I owed the bank a loan for my car and was far behind in payments,,.... could I say I decline to meet with you ????

[Spartakos]

I bet she were afraid they wouldn't smell very nice. The darling of isaan, the champion of the poor.

[h90]

Sez it all " Yingluck declined to meet with the farmers"

If I owed the bank a loan for my car and was far behind in payments,,.... could I say I decline to meet with you ????

The bank would take your car.....

But if there would be a law that the bank can't take your car you could happily decline it.....And per law the farmer can't take Yinglucks money.

[Thaddeus]

I bet she were afraid they wouldn't smell very nice. The darling of isaan, the champion of the poor.

"Maam, maam.... the peasants are revolting"

"Yes, I know, thank you three times"

[webfact]

PM Yingluck arrives at Office of Defense Permanent Secretary

BANGKOK, 17 February 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has arrived at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense amid tight security.

As soon as she arrived at the office in Chaeng Wattana, Miss Yingluck went straight into the building without giving any comments. The Premier was previously scheduled to carry out her duty at the Government House, but as it was surrounded by a number of protesters, she had to change her plan and hold a meeting in Chaeng Wattana instead.

Meanwhile, it is reported that a group of farmers led by President of the Western Rice Community Association Rawee Roongrueng is heading towards the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defense, demanding to see the prime minister and asking for clarification on the rice payments.

The police are, however, securing the building to prevent invasion and unexpected incidents.


-- NNT 2014-02-17

[than]

She declined to meet poor farmer she is a coward

[ratcatcher]

[whoisyourdaddy]

Sez it all " Yingluck declined to meet with the farmers"

If I owed the bank a loan for my car and was far behind in payments,,.... could I say I decline to meet with you ????

The bank would take your car.....

But if there would be a law that the bank can't take your car you could happily decline it.....And per law the farmer can't take Yinglucks money.

Considering she and her ministers stole most of the money, taking YInglucks money would be legal as it did not belong to her in the first place

[gemini81]

Can't wait until she is in 'self imposed exile' in Dubai, if the farmers don't get their hands on her first (sure would like to see that, her car cornered, and having to give an in-person, unscripted explanation to her ex-supporters). The most inept defense minister ever- at least she's broken a few world records for sheer incompetency.

Edited February 17, 2014 by gemini81

[Scamper]

" Yingluck declined to meet the farmers who travelled to the capital to seek an explanation about the scheme as well as the payments they are owed. "

The farmers - after months of anxious pleas - have now finally reached Bangkok, and are now embarked on an ongoing game of hide and seek with Yingluck. Whoever is handling Yingluck's PR, needs to take a closer look at this. This looks really, really bad, and will only look worse by the day. It is hard to imagine a worse Kodak moment for Yingluck.

[Lite Beer]

Angry farmers want caretaker PM to explain rice payment delay

BANGKOK, Feb 17 – Disgruntled farmers stormed into the compound of Thailand's defence headquarters on Chaeng Wattana Road this morning, demanding that caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra tell them directly when they would receive their overdue payments from the rice pledging scheme.

Ms Yingluck has been working at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence since Government House was seized by anti-government protesters.

At the Commerce Ministry, another group of farmers continued demonstrating for almost 10 days after failed negotiations with caretaker Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn and senior ministry officials.

At the Defence headquarters, farmers broke through wire and cement barricades into the premise at around midday, calling on the prime minister to personally meet and talk to them instead of assigning Cabinet members to the negotiation table.

Prasit Boonchouy, leader of the Thai Rice Farmers Association, said he was promised by a high-level official that the government would pay farmers within 45 days.

Farmers said they would immediately return home after receiving their money, said Mr Prasit, who represents farmers from Ratchaburi, Kanchanaburi, Nakhon Pathom and Phetchaburi.

However, another group of farmers said they would not wait that long and decided to move to the Defence HQ. The group was led by Rawee Rungruang, leader of the Western Rice Farmers Centre, and Kittisak Rattanavaraha, leader of the Northern Farmers Group.

Meanwhile, employee union leaders of the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) met with the bank's management this morning, demanding that the Finance Ministry guarantees borrowing from the Government Savings Bank to pay farmers.

The labour union called on the Commerce Ministry to urgently sell rice in the state stockpiles and the BAAC to refrain from using people’s deposits for the rice payments.

In the rice-producing province of Phichit, farmers crowded all 14 BAAC branches to receive payments after money was transferred from the Finance Ministry to the bank today.

In Lop Buri province, only 12 out of the more than 1,000 farmers received their payments, totalling Bt1.25 million, this morning. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2014-02-17

[TVGerry]

Dear farmers, you don't need an explanation from Poo and her brother's cronies because the answer is simple why your payments have been delayed. You've been lied to again. Simple as that. How many more times are you going to allow this corrupt government lie to you?

[bigbamboo]

Poor show from Yingluck but then she's never been put in a position where's she had to face the music before. Whether you support PT or not the inescapable truth is that she is hopelessly out of her depth as Thailand sinks and big brother isn't exactly rushing to her rescue.

[Bkungbank]

The main issue is not fake or real farmers, the main point is the government really owe them money to pay.

[AleG]

Yingluck declined to meet the farmers who travelled to the capital to seek an explanation about the scheme as well as the payments they are owed.

Yingluck has always played well her role as careless Prime Minister.

[Misterwhisper]

Seems the glory days are over when Yingluck frequently took a great liking to mingle with farmers and enjoyed being worshipped with smiles, handshakes, embraces and shoulder pats like a demi-goddess, promising them a wonderful life under her benevolent and most excellent leadership while proudly showing off her latest pair of obscenely expensive Burberry wellingtons.

Nowadays she's avoiding them like the plague.

I have absolutely no empathy for her. Instead, I pity all those farmers who were duped by her and her inept government and all too willingly walked into the trap of empty promises of a golden future.

Edited February 17, 2014 by Misterwhisper

[DirtFarmer]

These farmers have no money right? Haven't been paid ...right? Whose footing the bill for their BKK Holiday...? ... Tha Yang is a pretty heavy farming area ..in fact it is the vegetable and rice bowl for BKK 180 klicks south... near my place... there are no farmers going to BKK to protest...lol they are farming.. they do rice 3-4 times a year and in good years 5 times a year... they feel for their northeastern farmer brothers... but are not gonna go to BKK ( a short hop for these guys) to sit in the street for free... so my guess is those "farmers" that have come along way ( ahem) ...can they really afford to sit in the street for free...? Just a thought...

Edited February 17, 2014 by DirtFarmer

[gemini81]

Seems the glory days are over when Yingluck frequently took a great liking to mingle with farmers and enjoyed being worshipped with smiles, handshakes, embraces and shoulder pats like a demi-goddess, promising them a wonderful life under her benevolent and most excellent leadership while proudly showing off her latest pair of obscenely expensive Burberry wellingtons.

Nowadays she's avoiding them like the plague.

I have absolutely no empathy for her. Instead, I pity all those farmers who were duped by her and her inept government and all too willingly walked into the trap of empty promises of a golden future.

even then, she was so fake in her pricey boots walking on planks over their heads, up to their necks in flood water. One has to wonder how naive a person could be to see a despicable despot so clearly pretentious and spouting lies that you could fall for it. At least abhisit set some example of resembling a leader by actually helping, not flying around in a helicopter to look out and pretend everything is ok with your peasants you've oppressed.

[petedk]

Yingluck declined to meet the farmers who travelled to the capital to seek an explanation about the scheme as well as the payments they are owed.

Yingluck has always played well her role as careless Prime Minister.

And once again, again, again Yingluck sends someone to do her dirty work.

I can't remember having seen her stand up and face responsibility. She always sends someone to defend her.

[Showbags]

Can't wait until she is in 'self imposed exile' in Dubai, if the farmers don't get their hands on her first (sure would like to see that, her car cornered, and having to give an in-person, unscripted explanation to her ex-supporters). The most inept defense minister ever- at least she's broken a few world records for sheer incompetency.

imagine all the in exile shins at the dinner table in dubhai.... all bitching at each other..."you started it"

[JAG]

Just a thought, but haven't all the governments attempts to make payments been blocked by a variety of agencies which are shall we say, not exactly enthusiasts for the Pheu Thai Government?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[diehard60]

Sez it all " Yingluck declined to meet with the farmers"

If I owed the bank a loan for my car and was far behind in payments,,.... could I say I decline to meet with you ????

The bank would take your car.....

But if there would be a law that the bank can't take your car you could happily decline it.....And per law the farmer can't take Yinglucks money.

Considering she and her ministers stole most of the money, taking YInglucks money would be legal as it did not belong to her in the first place

Now why would she have to to sreal it? She has more then they do now. Do you really think she needs more??????? I suthep was running the show would you say the same thing????????????????????????????

Edited February 17, 2014 by diehard60

[SICHONSTEVE]

Just a thought, but haven't all the governments attempts to make payments been blocked by a variety of agencies which are shall we say, not exactly enthusiasts for the Pheu Thai Government?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

This line is getting a little bit boring, you lot are sounding like a scratched record!!

Even if they could borrow this money it would be a splash in the ocean.

There are no excuses - she should be ashamed of herself. Why can't she face up to what she has done and face those that have been so cruelly affected ? She has cried crocodile tears but these are tears of desperation. I would like to tell you where to stuff you're insensitive idea, I'll give you a clue - it's what Yingluck talks out of!!

[JAG]

Sez it all " Yingluck declined to meet with the farmers"

If I owed the bank a loan for my car and was far behind in payments,,.... could I say I decline to meet with you ????

The bank would take your car.....

But if there would be a law that the bank can't take your car you could happily decline it.....And per law the farmer can't take Yinglucks money.

Considering she and her ministers stole most of the money, taking YInglucks money would be legal as it did not belong to her in the first place

Have you any evidence that Yingluck has stolen money, or is this the first of the three postings needed to turn an allegation into an irrefutable fact?

Incidentally when you have established it as a fact, don't forget to precede any mention of it by writing "FACT" in bold capitals. That ensures that it can not be denied!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Baerboxer]

Yingluck declined to meet the farmers who travelled to the capital to seek an explanation about the scheme as well as the payments they are owed.

Yingluck has always played well her role as careless Prime Minister.

And once again, again, again Yingluck sends someone to do her dirty work.

I can't remember having seen her stand up and face responsibility. She always sends someone to defend her.

If she did condescend to meet them, even for a few minutes what would it be - more lies about when they'll be paid, promises it's not her fault but the incompetent banks and that nasty Suthep and his naughty protesters. A few false tears and hugs and then she'd be off smirking and thumbing her nose at how dumb these easily conned peasants are.

Where are all the usual pro Thaksin PTP/UDD/RS mob on TV who normally claim she's a great leader playing a blinder?

[Baerboxer]

Sez it all " Yingluck declined to meet with the farmers"

If I owed the bank a loan for my car and was far behind in payments,,.... could I say I decline to meet with you ????

The bank would take your car.....

But if there would be a law that the bank can't take your car you could happily decline it.....And per law the farmer can't take Yinglucks money.

Considering she and her ministers stole most of the money, taking YInglucks money would be legal as it did not belong to her in the first place

Have you any evidence that Yingluck has stolen money, or is this the first of the three postings needed to turn an allegation into an irrefutable fact?

Incidentally when you have established it as a fact, don't forget to precede any mention of it by writing "FACT" in bold capitals. That ensures that it can not be denied!

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

You are correct of course. Everyone should be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The NACC probes, which will also hopefully seek information about her wealth increase since taking office, that of her brother, family members ministers, MPs and spouses over the same time period should show her innocence or lead to further investigations and charges.

Should be interesting either way.

[soalbundy]

"There's a cheque in the post, believe me ! i'm a politician"

[bigbamboo]

Yingluck declined to meet the farmers who travelled to the capital to seek an explanation about the scheme as well as the payments they are owed.

Yingluck has always played well her role as careless Prime Minister.

And once again, again, again Yingluck sends someone to do her dirty work.

I can't remember having seen her stand up and face responsibility. She always sends someone to defend her.

If she did condescend to meet them, even for a few minutes what would it be - more lies about when they'll be paid, promises it's not her fault but the incompetent banks and that nasty Suthep and his naughty protesters. A few false tears and hugs and then she'd be off smirking and thumbing her nose at how dumb these easily conned peasants are.

Where are all the usual pro Thaksin PTP/UDD/RS mob on TV who normally claim she's a great leader playing a blinder?

.

In the queue at the GSB with all the other punters I suspect.