Farmers rallying into Bangkok on March 12

[webfact]

Farmers rallying into Bangkok on March 12

BANGKOK 11 March 2014 (NNT) — Farmers from the North and Northeast are rallying into Bangkok to prepare for their protests set for March 12. The rally aims to pressure the government into paying money owed them under the rice pledging scheme.

According to Leader of the Northern Farmers, Kittisak Ratanawaraha, he has relayed the message to the farmers of the North and Northeast to kick off their rallies into Bangkok to prepare for the protest-- slated for March 12-- aimed at demanding their long-overdue payments from the rice pledging scheme.

The farmers remained unpaid despite the 20 billion baht allocated from the central budget, which the government had promised to pay them with. The leader also doubted that the government would be able to pay the farmers by May 31 this year, said Kittisak.

He believed the payment process would be expedited if a new government was formed, replacing the caretaker government. He also estimated that it would take a month for the new administration to pay off the 100 billion baht it owed to all the farmers.


-- NNT 2014-03-11

[goldmonky]

Will the red thugs try to block them again like they did two weeks ago?

[Costas2008]

Last time they turned back because they believed that the government will pay them.

How long and how many lies will it take to open their eyes?

Edited March 11, 2014 by metisdead
Font fixed again.

[TVGerry]

How many times have these people been lied to by the Shins? Are they going to get hoodwinked again? Suthep made it a point not to blockade the airport, these farmers who are extremely desperate because the PTP screwed them will have no qualms in doing so.

[JesseFrank]

You will be paid next week.

Ok thats fine then we go back home, but if you don't pay us we come back.

BYE !!

[Trembly]

I know it's not a pleasant situation for the farmers but I'm really glad their eyes are being opened.

[Misterwhisper]

Will the red thugs try to block them again like they did two weeks ago?

Perhaps it will suffice if yet another caretaker government rep will simply come out and "promise" that everybody will be paid "by next week". Then these pesky farmers will just turn around on their heels and go home - at least until next week when they once again realize that they've been lied to. It has worked multiple times in the past, hasn't it?

[yougivemebaby]

Give Em HELL BOYS!!

[Yunla]

"Nature's Wrath" take 2.

At least The Nation etc. can save money by using the old library-pictures of the tractors driving to Bangkok and then driving home again, instead of actually going there to photograph more of the same.

Apart from that minor detail, this whole story is totally sorrowful. I don't know how immune to shame you would have to be to take products from poor hardworking farmers in a developing country, and not pay them for the products in almost a whole year. How do these politicians and middlemen look themselves in the mirror without weeping.

[webfact]

Farmers at Commerce Ministry plan mass rally Wednesday
By Digital Content



NONTHABURI, March 11 - Protesting farmers at the Commerce Ministry will move to join a group led by Phra Buddha Issara at the Chaeng Wattana protest site before marching together with the group to an unannounced third location on Wednesday.

Rawee Rungruang, leader of the Thai Farmers Network, said leaders of the two groups will discuss their planned rally again, while explaining that there are not many protesters at the Commerce Ministry today due to this being the harvest season.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Trade Department today opened an opportunity for rice bidders to submit their bids for more than 500,000 tonnes of five types of rice in the government's stockpiles.

The department plans to organise more Thai rice promotion events in the world market, particularly 'Jasmine' or 'Hom Mali' rice.

In a related matter, the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Co-operatives in the lower northern province of Uthai Thani has received a central budget approved by the Election Commission (EC) to pay 331 farmers for overdue payments under the rice pledging scheme at Bt75.29 million.

Uthai Thani still has another 16,500 farmers yet to receive payments totalling Bt2.6 billion. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-03-11

[Scamper]

" He believed the payment process would be expedited if a new government was formed, replacing the caretaker government. "

The very logic Pheu Thai was hoping the farmers' wouldn't come up with. Indeed, the farmers can only be turned back so many times with more promises, especially as they're realizing this former administration can actually do nothing but make press announcements. But the farmers are back tomorrow, and there is nothing Kittirat can do except order an especially effective raincoat.

[Pimay1]

The farmers remained unpaid despite the 20 billion baht allocated from the central budget, which the government had promised to pay them with.

Now, now Mr. and Mrs Farmer you have to understand that it takes time to distribute 6 billion baht to all the little pigges at the trough. We ard doing transfers as fast as we can. When the transfers are complete you can be paid.

The PTP and the red leadership which by the way have abandonded the farmers don't care how many times the farmers run up and down the roads with their tractors and trucks. It's interesting the farmers haven't realized this yet. But if they blocked the lifeline to Thailand and shut it down totally as they talked about doing the last time, I think the money would magically appear and they would be paid. TAT would probably give the money pay them.

[slipperylobster]

Farmers might decide to do the airport scenario again, as it worked so well last time.

All kidding aside, my Swampy flight leaves next week. Actually I would not be very disappointed if I missed it, but it is the last day of my VOA. I stand to lose only 5000 baht, and the recent Air tragedy has me a bit shook up. Never did actually enjoy flying, although I have flown uncounted flights.

Question...if I am prevented from getting to the airport, will the airlines let me reschedule. I am not giving the name of the Airline Company, but I do believe there is a large fee for rescheduling. I just don't know if they will consider waiving that fee if the fault lies with a possible scenario between the farmers and the airport.

OK..I expect many people will post that I have nothing to worry about...that all will be well. This is just an idea floating around. How did airlines manage when Swampy Closed down flights years ago?

[allan michaud]

Surely they are all fake farmers anyway, so no need to worry.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Will the red thugs try to block them again like they did two weeks ago?

Yes blocking justified protests is 'just so undemocratic'!!!

[smedly]

was it true that money some did receive they were not allowed to withdraw from their bank accounts - limited to a maximum of 10k

[Thait Spot]

These farmers should be incredibly obese. They've been fed on pork pies for nigh on 6 months

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Artisi]

Might be about time the farmers got a bit serious instead of pouncing around like big-girls-blouses. They have been lied to and conned over and over by the fugitive and his mouth pieces - time for a change. Fight the corrupt (now) care-taker government and don't back down until either everyone is paid or the care-taker government is no more - gone- finished - kaput, at least they will be no worse-off and stand a chance that any future government or interim parliament come organise at least some money or interest free loans to tide them over for the coming year or so.

Edited March 11, 2014 by metisdead
Font

[OZEMADE]

These farmers should be incredibly obese. They've been fed on pork pies for nigh on 6 months

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I didn't see any that looked like they were underfed in the photo above. Too much fast food from the looks of it.

[Robroona]

Why are they returning? The government promised them on more than a few occasions that they would be paid "next week". So someone is lying.

Can fab4, moonao, bluenose codger or any of the Red loving politicos please enter this discussion and explain?

[GuestHouse]

Din't the PTP say there were only 3000 farmers awaiting payment?

Or was that yet another PTP lie?

As has been said above, behind this story is the tragedy of real hardship or people not having been paid.

NOT Middle Men keeping the money

NOT Rice Brokers robbing the farmers

NOT Rice Millers paying under the stipulated rate.

This is the PTP failing to pay the farmers - The blame starts and stops at the PTP, Puppet Prime Minster and the fugitive convicted Pup[pet Master.

Time the grass roots of the Red Shirt movement woke up to the reality that the PTP are riding them to poverty and sent their own candidates from their own communities to Parliament.

[ratcatcher]

Kikoman and gk and FB will be along real soon to defend the indefensible yet again..I hope these 'fake' farmers and their fake farmers wives along with their newly loaned tractors give the PTP what they rightly deserve for stringing them along for so long.

[Fat Haggis]

Farmers might decide to do the airport scenario again, as it worked so well last time.

All kidding aside, my Swampy flight leaves next week. Actually I would not be very disappointed if I missed it, but it is the last day of my VOA. I stand to lose only 5000 baht, and the recent Air tragedy has me a bit shook up. Never did actually enjoy flying, although I have flown uncounted flights.

Question...if I am prevented from getting to the airport, will the airlines let me reschedule. I am not giving the name of the Airline Company, but I do believe there is a large fee for rescheduling. I just don't know if they will consider waiving that fee if the fault lies with a possible scenario between the farmers and the airport.

OK..I expect many people will post that I have nothing to worry about...that all will be well. This is just an idea floating around. How did airlines manage when Swampy Closed down flights years ago?

The Airline has no responsibility for you to reach the airport, they may be sympathetic and rebook you, but they're not obliged to, unless they're at fault. The reschedule fees can be anywhere between 2,500 baht upward to 15,000

I left Swampy 2 weeks ago, when there were supposed to be farmers camped out there, but traffic was free flowing and I never seen any groups of farmers asking for donations either, I was on the departures level mind you, so they may well have been some there.

[Smokemachine]

If they can get their payment soon after coming to rally for a new govt then pls come asap.

The red supporters will not bother much about the farmers plight, whether they die, owe big money to moneylenders, no food for kids, they couldn't care less.

So poor farmers, pls come soon to fight for your rice payment. Don't believe any red leader from your province again.

The red supporters are currently busy building their own army to protect the Ts regime (YL govt).

Farmers are not their priority anymore

[leggo]

Why don't they just blockade the airport and get it over with it or is it because in their heart of hearts these poor blighters know they ain't going to get paid,ever.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 2 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[edwinchester]

Din't the PTP say there were only 3000 farmers awaiting payment?

Or was that yet another PTP lie?

As has been said above, behind this story is the tragedy of real hardship or people not having been paid.

NOT Middle Men keeping the money

NOT Rice Brokers robbing the farmers

NOT Rice Millers paying under the stipulated rate.

This is the PTP failing to pay the farmers - The blame starts and stops at the PTP, Puppet Prime Minster and the fugitive convicted Pup[pet Master.

Time the grass roots of the Red Shirt movement woke up to the reality that the PTP are riding them to poverty and sent their own candidates from their own communities to Parliament.

Assuming the sum owed is 130 billion bht as has been widely reported.

Farmers in our village are owed between 60 and 200k bht.

Using 200k bht per farmer means 650,000 thousand farmers are owed money.

[Suriya4]

Food in Lumpini park is free. See ya.

[tomacht8]

Din't the PTP say there were only 3000 farmers awaiting payment?

Or was that yet another PTP lie?

As has been said above, behind this story is the tragedy of real hardship or people not having been paid.

NOT Middle Men keeping the money

NOT Rice Brokers robbing the farmers

NOT Rice Millers paying under the stipulated rate.

This is the PTP failing to pay the farmers - The blame starts and stops at the PTP, Puppet Prime Minster and the fugitive convicted Pup[pet Master.

Time the grass roots of the Red Shirt movement woke up to the reality that the PTP are riding them to poverty and sent their own candidates from their own communities to Parliament.

Assuming the sum owed is 130 billion bht as has been widely reported.

Farmers in our village are owed between 60 and 200k bht.

Using 200k bht per farmer means 650,000 thousand farmers are owed money.

Some sources said there are still over 1 Million farmers unpaid.

Hope they find a way to pay them.

It is a shame.

Btw: In the pic in the OP there are only one person wearing a red Shirt in the crowd.

Interesting.

[Cuchulainn]

Kikoman and gk and FB will be along real soon to defend the indefensible yet again..I hope these 'fake' farmers and their fake farmers wives along with their newly loaned tractors give the PTP what they rightly deserve for stringing them along for so long.

Hopefully, a blood-baying lynch mob.

[northernjohn]

Last time they turned back because they believed that the government will pay them.

How long and how many lies will it take to open their eyes?

Last time was a phony. No body drives a tractor for three days to just turn around. It cost money that they supposedly don't have.

There plan was if Yingluck would not leave her Facebook life they were going to set up a peaceful protest at the airport. Take over no buildings or block business just protest peacefully.

Instead they had a Yingluck flunky come out and say the government is going to pay you so they just turned around and went home.

Who paid for all that fuel? I notice there was no red shirt attempt to block them. Could the money have come through them from Dubai?