PM warns farmers not to expect too much handouts from the government

[Lite Beer]

PM warns farmers not to expect too much handouts from the government

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha today warned farmers not to expect too much handouts from the government because the handouts are not sustainable and the only way for farmers to earn more is to cut their production costs.

He admitted that the 1,000 baht/rai cash handout up to a maximum of 15,000 baht to each farming household may be just a chicken feed for the rich but for the poor farmers it means something.

He said that the government was obliged to help ease the hardships of the poor farmers but it would not help the way the previous government did because it didn’t want to cause problem for the state’s financial standing.

The prime minister explained that giving handouts to the farmers was not a sustainable way to help the farmers to stand on their feet. The right way, he said, is to change the production structure to cut production costs, to help the farmers in the marketing of their produce and to encourage farmers to group together and to help one another.

He said that the government had limited budget and could not spend a substantial amount of the budget just to help the farmers. He admitted that he didn’t know whether tax collection next year would meet the target or not and if the government plans to increase tax in order to fill up the revenue shortfall there will be protests from the people.

Apparently not in a good mood, the prime minister said sarcastically that the government must distribute coupons instead of cash if there are demands of more handouts or subsidies.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-warns-farmers-expect-much-handouts-government/

-- Thai PBS 2014-10-13

[ClutchClark]

I sure like this guy.

As for agricultural subsidies by the Gov't, it is a practice of most every country including the USofA.

[Costas2008]

I think I am on the same wave length with the General.

I keep saying for a long time, no subsidies to anybody.

No subsidies to the rice farmers, no subsidies to the rubber farmers.

We are living in a free economy and everybody should adjust themselves and be able to cope by their own.

This country has not any money to spare.

The infrastructure is suffering, education is suffering, money have to be spend to remedy those problems.

In the past the money was spend to buy votes, no more need of that.

Make the economy stronger and if after this, there is some money left then initiate some help to the needy.

Thai people have to come out of the habit of opening their hands and begging for help, it's about time they learn to stand on their own feet.

[Thai at Heart]

I think I am on the same wave length with the General.

I keep saying for a long time, no subsidies to anybody.

No subsidies to the rice farmers, no subsidies to the rubber farmers.

We are living in a free economy and everybody should adjust themselves and be able to cope by their own.

This country has not any money to spare.

The infrastructure is suffering, education is suffering, money have to be spend to remedy those problems.

In the past the money was spend to buy votes, no more need of that.

Make the economy stronger and if after this, there is some money left then initiate some help to the needy.

Thai people have to come out of the habit of opening their hands and begging for help, it's about time they learn to stand on their own feet.

Costas, I worked in Greece where poor farmers in some areas of the country were able to live quite well because of subsidies.

What you are asking people to do here is essentially risk starving. The prices being paid by the market for rubber are so low, they do not cover costs at the moment. So call it whatever you want, but there is every chance people will go bankrupt if they cannot get paid something more from the government. This is the reality. There is no social net in Thailand. nothing, nada.

Thais don't have a habit of wanting anything with an open hand. I suggest you go and grow produce yourself in Isaan and see how you might wonder how to survive if prices plummeted below your cost.

A stick is not always the solution.

[tbthailand]

The General really knows how to make friends, doesn't he?

It's not about handouts - but to his point in the OP,... POOR farmers lease part or all of their land. The 'handout' helps their 'landlord'

So he says no handouts we don't have money. The Thai farmers are going to watch him spend money on so many other projects and wonder what's going on.

The general says nice things that make sense, but he might want to roll out a few concrete projects which will have a positive impact. And do it soon, too - otherwise it is just promises from a general cum politician. So far, the general has shown that he is a military man through and through with a complete lack of real understanding for the plight of farmers - be they producing rice or rubber or other crops.

[tbthailand]

I think I am on the same wave length with the General.

I keep saying for a long time, no subsidies to anybody.

No subsidies to the rice farmers, no subsidies to the rubber farmers.

We are living in a free economy and everybody should adjust themselves and be able to cope by their own.

This country has not any money to spare.

The infrastructure is suffering, education is suffering, money have to be spend to remedy those problems.

In the past the money was spend to buy votes, no more need of that.

Make the economy stronger and if after this, there is some money left then initiate some help to the needy.

Thai people have to come out of the habit of opening their hands and begging for help, it's about time they learn to stand on their own feet.

Costas, I worked in Greece where poor farmers in some areas of the country were able to live quite well because of subsidies.

What you are asking people to do here is essentially risk starving. The prices being paid by the market for rubber are so low, they do not cover costs at the moment. So call it whatever you want, but there is every chance people will go bankrupt if they cannot get paid something more from the government. This is the reality. There is no social net in Thailand. nothing, nada.

Thais don't have a habit of wanting anything with an open hand. I suggest you go and grow produce yourself in Isaan and see how you might wonder how to survive if prices plummeted below your cost.

A stick is not always the solution.

I second your point.

Farming is a risky and volatile endever - subsidies, for example, some system of price supports, is critical to any county's farming sector.

[robblok]

I think I am on the same wave length with the General.

I keep saying for a long time, no subsidies to anybody.

No subsidies to the rice farmers, no subsidies to the rubber farmers.

We are living in a free economy and everybody should adjust themselves and be able to cope by their own.

This country has not any money to spare.

The infrastructure is suffering, education is suffering, money have to be spend to remedy those problems.

In the past the money was spend to buy votes, no more need of that.

Make the economy stronger and if after this, there is some money left then initiate some help to the needy.

Thai people have to come out of the habit of opening their hands and begging for help, it's about time they learn to stand on their own feet.

Costas, I worked in Greece where poor farmers in some areas of the country were able to live quite well because of subsidies.

What you are asking people to do here is essentially risk starving. The prices being paid by the market for rubber are so low, they do not cover costs at the moment. So call it whatever you want, but there is every chance people will go bankrupt if they cannot get paid something more from the government. This is the reality. There is no social net in Thailand. nothing, nada.

Thais don't have a habit of wanting anything with an open hand. I suggest you go and grow produce yourself in Isaan and see how you might wonder how to survive if prices plummeted below your cost.

A stick is not always the solution.

The stick is not always the solution, but farmers have been living of handouts too long. What they are doing is not sustainable so change. Why should others foot the bill for farmers ? If someone looses his job at a factory the government is not going to pay him.

Only reason they did this to the farmers is because of vote buying.

The general is 100% right they should change their methods of farming and look at production cost. Vietnam is out producing them.

If the previous governments had not given handouts but real solutions we would not be here. At least now he is telling them to change things structural and yes that means suffering for people but there is no other way. Else they will live from handouts the rest of their lives.

[Thai at Heart]

I think I am on the same wave length with the General.

I keep saying for a long time, no subsidies to anybody.

No subsidies to the rice farmers, no subsidies to the rubber farmers.

We are living in a free economy and everybody should adjust themselves and be able to cope by their own.

This country has not any money to spare.

The infrastructure is suffering, education is suffering, money have to be spend to remedy those problems.

In the past the money was spend to buy votes, no more need of that.

Make the economy stronger and if after this, there is some money left then initiate some help to the needy.

Thai people have to come out of the habit of opening their hands and begging for help, it's about time they learn to stand on their own feet.

Costas, I worked in Greece where poor farmers in some areas of the country were able to live quite well because of subsidies.

What you are asking people to do here is essentially risk starving. The prices being paid by the market for rubber are so low, they do not cover costs at the moment. So call it whatever you want, but there is every chance people will go bankrupt if they cannot get paid something more from the government. This is the reality. There is no social net in Thailand. nothing, nada.

Thais don't have a habit of wanting anything with an open hand. I suggest you go and grow produce yourself in Isaan and see how you might wonder how to survive if prices plummeted below your cost.

A stick is not always the solution.

I second your point.

Farming is a risky and volatile endever - subsidies, for example, some system of price supports, is critical to any county's farming sector.

One thing they absolutely must crack down on is transfer pricing the produce out of the country so that pricing is done FOB Bangkok instead of transfer pricing it FOB Singapore.

The profits HAVE to stay in Thailand so they can be taxed to provide a subsidy for the farmers.

[Thaiwine]

Good link here on the price of rubber for the past 25 years

http://www.indexmundi.com/commodities/?commodity=rubber&months=300

It seems the rubber farmers were raking it in from 2009 until now when prices are back to pre boom levels.

[ratcatcher]

The General really knows how to make friends, doesn't he?

It's not about handouts - but to his point in the OP,... POOR farmers lease part or all of their land. The 'handout' helps their 'landlord'

So he says no handouts we don't have money. The Thai farmers are going to watch him spend money on so many other projects and wonder what's going on.

The general says nice things that make sense, but he might want to roll out a few concrete projects which will have a positive impact. And do it soon, too - otherwise it is just promises from a general cum politician. So far, the general has shown that he is a military man through and through with a complete lack of real understanding for the plight of farmers - be they producing rice or rubber or other crops.

"So far, the general has shown that he is a military man through and through with a complete lack of real understanding for the plight of farmers - be they producing rice or rubber or other crops. "

But it would be fair to say that P.M. Prayut's predecessor had a total and comprehensive understanding of the farmer's plight and a solid solution to their problems?

[ClutchClark]

I think I am on the same wave length with the General.

I keep saying for a long time, no subsidies to anybody.

No subsidies to the rice farmers, no subsidies to the rubber farmers.

We are living in a free economy and everybody should adjust themselves and be able to cope by their own.

This country has not any money to spare.

The infrastructure is suffering, education is suffering, money have to be spend to remedy those problems.

In the past the money was spend to buy votes, no more need of that.

Make the economy stronger and if after this, there is some money left then initiate some help to the needy.

Thai people have to come out of the habit of opening their hands and begging for help, it's about time they learn to stand on their own feet.

Costas, the big picture is that agricultural exports are a major part of the Thai economy at approximately 8.4% of the GDP.

Although there is a populist element to the Farm Subsidies programs, the fact remains they are necessary to sustain the Thai economy.

The solution is not as simple as just stopping all programs and allow the Ag sector to crash, the solution is to regulate and place safeguards in the system to limit abuse by redefining the programs. Unfortunately, as we all know, this is far easier said than done in a systemically corrupt political environment. If there is anyone that can implement these changes, it would be PM General (aka: your electromagnetic brother of a different mother).

The fact is it is not the farmer that has created the abuse in this system and your suggestion appears more a punishment to them than to the actual perpetrators.

Cheers

[ClutchClark]

I think I am on the same wave length with the General.

I keep saying for a long time, no subsidies to anybody.

No subsidies to the rice farmers, no subsidies to the rubber farmers.

We are living in a free economy and everybody should adjust themselves and be able to cope by their own.

This country has not any money to spare.

The infrastructure is suffering, education is suffering, money have to be spend to remedy those problems.

In the past the money was spend to buy votes, no more need of that.

Make the economy stronger and if after this, there is some money left then initiate some help to the needy.

Thai people have to come out of the habit of opening their hands and begging for help, it's about time they learn to stand on their own feet.

Costas, I worked in Greece where poor farmers in some areas of the country were able to live quite well because of subsidies.

What you are asking people to do here is essentially risk starving. The prices being paid by the market for rubber are so low, they do not cover costs at the moment. So call it whatever you want, but there is every chance people will go bankrupt if they cannot get paid something more from the government. This is the reality. There is no social net in Thailand. nothing, nada.

Thais don't have a habit of wanting anything with an open hand. I suggest you go and grow produce yourself in Isaan and see how you might wonder how to survive if prices plummeted below your cost.

A stick is not always the solution.

The stick is not always the solution, but farmers have been living of handouts too long. What they are doing is not sustainable so change. Why should others foot the bill for farmers ? If someone looses his job at a factory the government is not going to pay him.

Only reason they did this to the farmers is because of vote buying.

The general is 100% right they should change their methods of farming and look at production cost. Vietnam is out producing them.

If the previous governments had not given handouts but real solutions we would not be here. At least now he is telling them to change things structural and yes that means suffering for people but there is no other way. Else they will live from handouts the rest of their lives.

Factories receive much in the way of Gov't "handouts" (subsidies) in the form of favorable trade agreements, low taxes, etc so, in fact, those factory workers do receive gov't assistance, although indirectly. Interestingly, as farmers lose their land, farms will become consolidated by large corporate interests and those major Ag Businesses will receive even more favorable subsidies---well, that is if the US "model" of the past 50 years is any example.

And I am not sure Vietnam would be the best example of a free market economy.

The small independent farmer is not the enemy here. They are a pawn. Everyones anger should be focused on all those who made the rules and have profited heavily by them and if you follow the money it is not in the farmers' pockets.

[chaiyapoon]

There is not enough tax being collected apart from bigger businesses and farang businesses.Nearly all the thais I know don't pay tax at all and vat is only 7%.plus there is likely a degree of creaming off going on so no wonder there is no money for farming as a whole.

Thai agriculture is still in the dark ages in many areas with tiny farms and limited equipment and many have to buy in services ( like ploughing and cropping etc) at rates that cost too much in relation to the returns.Its hardy worth farming as the returns are so low.

Can't fathom why land prices are increasing given the current situation.

[visionchaser45]

More payback for supporting the `wrong` team. First street vendors, then farmers, bar workers, etc. Keep them poor and subservient to the ruling class. We`re well on the way toward reconciliation. LOL

[englishoak]

I think I am on the same wave length with the General.

I keep saying for a long time, no subsidies to anybody.

No subsidies to the rice farmers, no subsidies to the rubber farmers.

We are living in a free economy and everybody should adjust themselves and be able to cope by their own.

This country has not any money to spare.

The infrastructure is suffering, education is suffering, money have to be spend to remedy those problems.

In the past the money was spend to buy votes, no more need of that.

Make the economy stronger and if after this, there is some money left then initiate some help to the needy.

Thai people have to come out of the habit of opening their hands and begging for help, it's about time they learn to stand on their own feet.

Costas, I worked in Greece where poor farmers in some areas of the country were able to live quite well because of subsidies.

What you are asking people to do here is essentially risk starving. The prices being paid by the market for rubber are so low, they do not cover costs at the moment. So call it whatever you want, but there is every chance people will go bankrupt if they cannot get paid something more from the government. This is the reality. There is no social net in Thailand. nothing, nada.

Thais don't have a habit of wanting anything with an open hand. I suggest you go and grow produce yourself in Isaan and see how you might wonder how to survive if prices plummeted below your cost.

A stick is not always the solution.

The stick is not always the solution, but farmers have been living of handouts too long. What they are doing is not sustainable so change. Why should others foot the bill for farmers ? If someone looses his job at a factory the government is not going to pay him.

Only reason they did this to the farmers is because of vote buying.

The general is 100% right they should change their methods of farming and look at production cost. Vietnam is out producing them.

If the previous governments had not given handouts but real solutions we would not be here. At least now he is telling them to change things structural and yes that means suffering for people but there is no other way. Else they will live from handouts the rest of their lives.

The only way to do this is set up a farming education scheme where they are taught these methods and forced to learn and use them. This can be done by making subsidies whilst learning available conditional on learning, with a cut of point off a max X years

Farmers get the help ( for now ) and Thailand gets in time a more efficient streamlined and cost effective farming process, not to mention less handouts and better revenue for the farmers and a better export book.

Edited October 13, 2014 by englishoak

[MRDave]

Expect a big influx of farmers daughters to the bar girl scene.

[ClutchClark]

Expect a big influx of farmers daughters to the bar girl scene.

Says a man with a very thorough understanding of economic theory.

;-)

[Thai at Heart]

I think I am on the same wave length with the General.

I keep saying for a long time, no subsidies to anybody.

No subsidies to the rice farmers, no subsidies to the rubber farmers.

We are living in a free economy and everybody should adjust themselves and be able to cope by their own.

This country has not any money to spare.

The infrastructure is suffering, education is suffering, money have to be spend to remedy those problems.

In the past the money was spend to buy votes, no more need of that.

Make the economy stronger and if after this, there is some money left then initiate some help to the needy.

Thai people have to come out of the habit of opening their hands and begging for help, it's about time they learn to stand on their own feet.

Costas, I worked in Greece where poor farmers in some areas of the country were able to live quite well because of subsidies.

What you are asking people to do here is essentially risk starving. The prices being paid by the market for rubber are so low, they do not cover costs at the moment. So call it whatever you want, but there is every chance people will go bankrupt if they cannot get paid something more from the government. This is the reality. There is no social net in Thailand. nothing, nada.

Thais don't have a habit of wanting anything with an open hand. I suggest you go and grow produce yourself in Isaan and see how you might wonder how to survive if prices plummeted below your cost.

A stick is not always the solution.

The stick is not always the solution, but farmers have been living of handouts too long. What they are doing is not sustainable so change. Why should others foot the bill for farmers ? If someone looses his job at a factory the government is not going to pay him.

Only reason they did this to the farmers is because of vote buying.

The general is 100% right they should change their methods of farming and look at production cost. Vietnam is out producing them.

If the previous governments had not given handouts but real solutions we would not be here. At least now he is telling them to change things structural and yes that means suffering for people but there is no other way. Else they will live from handouts the rest of their lives.

A stick is not the solution.

Short term subsidy with long term improvements and retirements with pension of some sort to reduce volume maybe a solution.

It is not a solution to have farmers hanging themselves.

[chainarong]

The P.M. is quite right in advising farmers that funds are indeed limited, there are various reasons from poor farming techniques , down to culture pressure , the first instance the younger brigade don't want to work in rice fields, so most have left for the cities and the ipod, the ones that do and go and expand their horizons and try to introduce new systems into the family farm are howled down and the gullible rice farmers would much rather a unworkable pledge scheme that cost the country untold damage in reputation and financially , so that the handouts keep coming, if they vote accordingly , mind you the P.M. leaves the door wide open for another get rich quick scheme to materialize, what the farmers must understand that the day of handouts are past and modern methods are needed. I have actually had young people in the old folks village complain to me , that the old people don't want to listen.

[ClutchClark]

The P.M. is quite right in advising farmers that funds are indeed limited, there are various reasons from poor farming techniques , down to culture pressure , the first instance the younger brigade don't want to work in rice fields, so most have left for the cities and the ipod, the ones that do and go and expand their horizons and try to introduce new systems into the family farm are howled down and the gullible rice farmers would much rather a unworkable pledge scheme that cost the country untold damage in reputation and financially , so that the handouts keep coming, if they vote accordingly , mind you the P.M. leaves the door wide open for another get rich quick scheme to materialize, what the farmers must understand that the day of handouts are past and modern methods are needed. I have actually had young people in the old folks village complain to me , that the old people don't want to listen.

Imagine that. Young people with zero experience in life or farming trying to tell old folks that have several decades of farming experience that they don't know how to farm.

What modern methods? Serious question--in what way are farmers not practicing modern methods? And please include what the cost of those modern methods are to the farmer and suggest where the farmer is supposed to find the money for those costs.

Lastly, it appears that much of the anger towards farmers is the subsidy they received from the past regime. How can you blame that on the farmer? If you are in a business and the PM offers all of you and your competitors money are you going to turn it down? Again, serious questions and I hope for serious answers.

Thanks

[visionchaser45]

Expect a big influx of farmers daughters to the bar girl scene.

Says a man with a very thorough understanding of economic theory.

;-)

...and a pocket full of Viagra.

[Tatsujin]

The P.M. is quite right in advising farmers that funds are indeed limited, there are various reasons from poor farming techniques , down to culture pressure , the first instance the younger brigade don't want to work in rice fields, so most have left for the cities and the ipod, the ones that do and go and expand their horizons and try to introduce new systems into the family farm are howled down and the gullible rice farmers would much rather a unworkable pledge scheme that cost the country untold damage in reputation and financially , so that the handouts keep coming, if they vote accordingly , mind you the P.M. leaves the door wide open for another get rich quick scheme to materialize, what the farmers must understand that the day of handouts are past and modern methods are needed. I have actually had young people in the old folks village complain to me , that the old people don't want to listen.

Imagine that. Young people with zero experience in life or farming trying to tell old folks that have several decades of farming experience that they don't know how to farm.

What modern methods? Serious question--in what way are farmers not practicing modern methods? And please include what the cost of those modern methods are to the farmer and suggest where the farmer is supposed to find the money for those costs.

Lastly, it appears that much of the anger towards farmers is the subsidy they received from the past regime. How can you blame that on the farmer? If you are in a business and the PM offers all of you and your competitors money are you going to turn it down? Again, serious questions and I hope for serious answers.

Thanks

One of my close friends from up north of Thailand has diversified on her farm . . . they still grow rice, but are also now farming fish in a big way and 6 x other crops in addition, all in the last 2 years . . . it's not that hard to do when you see rice is just not going to make you enough money year on year and you don't want to rely on being given handouts to survive . . .

[bassman]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Expect a big influx of farmers daughters to the bar girl scene.

Says a man with a very thorough understanding of economic theory.

;-)

...and a pocket full of Viagra.

This should at least help tourist numbers and the farmers... in the long run

[phutoie2]

The General really knows how to make friends, doesn't he?

It's not about handouts - but to his point in the OP,... POOR farmers lease part or all of their land. The 'handout' helps their 'landlord'

So he says no handouts we don't have money. The Thai farmers are going to watch him spend money on so many other projects and wonder what's going on.

The general says nice things that make sense, but he might want to roll out a few concrete projects which will have a positive impact. And do it soon, too - otherwise it is just promises from a general cum politician. So far, the general has shown that he is a military man through and through with a complete lack of real understanding for the plight of farmers - be they producing rice or rubber or other crops.

"So far, the general has shown that he is a military man through and through with a complete lack of real understanding for the plight of farmers - be they producing rice or rubber or other crops. "

But it would be fair to say that P.M. Prayut's predecessor had a total and comprehensive understanding of the farmer's plight and a solid solution to their problems?

Congratulations, you win todays prize of being the first to bring the previous administration into the topic.

We all know YS had sweet FA understanding of farming but she has a better line in handbags than the current Duke of York in charge now, so we sort of forgive her.

[umbanda]

I think I am on the same wave length with the General.

I keep saying for a long time, no subsidies to anybody.

No subsidies to the rice farmers, no subsidies to the rubber farmers.

We are living in a free economy and everybody should adjust themselves and be able to cope by their own.

This country has not any money to spare.

The infrastructure is suffering, education is suffering, money have to be spend to remedy those problems.

In the past the money was spend to buy votes, no more need of that.

Make the economy stronger and if after this, there is some money left then initiate some help to the needy.

Thai people have to come out of the habit of opening their hands and begging for help, it's about time they learn to stand on their own feet.

Costas, I worked in Greece where poor farmers in some areas of the country were able to live quite well because of subsidies.

What you are asking people to do here is essentially risk starving. The prices being paid by the market for rubber are so low, they do not cover costs at the moment. So call it whatever you want, but there is every chance people will go bankrupt if they cannot get paid something more from the government. This is the reality. There is no social net in Thailand. nothing, nada.

Thais don't have a habit of wanting anything with an open hand. I suggest you go and grow produce yourself in Isaan and see how you might wonder how to survive if prices plummeted below your cost.

A stick is not always the solution.

The stick is not always the solution, but farmers have been living of handouts too long. What they are doing is not sustainable so change. Why should others foot the bill for farmers ? If someone looses his job at a factory the government is not going to pay him.

Only reason they did this to the farmers is because of vote buying.

The general is 100% right they should change their methods of farming and look at production cost. Vietnam is out producing them.

If the previous governments had not given handouts but real solutions we would not be here. At least now he is telling them to change things structural and yes that means suffering for people but there is no other way. Else they will live from handouts the rest of their lives.

The only way to do this is set up a farming education scheme where they are taught these methods and forced to learn and use them. This can be done by making subsidies whilst learning available conditional on learning, with a cut of point off a max X years

Farmers get the help ( for now ) and Thailand gets in time a more efficient streamlined and cost effective farming process, not to mention less handouts and better revenue for the farmers and a better export book.

Agree. That is the core of the King's philosophy explained and put in practice in all his projects. Unfortunately most of the times a strong and well intensional leader fails in build the same type of followers in his lifetime, necessary for long term implementation.

I hope the General understand this problem and get surrounded by the right people..starting with a big "clean-up". Very hard task.. but doable...and in that..I believe the General has the skills and the support...Some leaders, very few, get into politics with ideals and in search of just recognition, not just looking for personal financial gains.

I hope he is one of those, like the King.

Edited October 14, 2014 by umbanda

[robblok]

The P.M. is quite right in advising farmers that funds are indeed limited, there are various reasons from poor farming techniques , down to culture pressure , the first instance the younger brigade don't want to work in rice fields, so most have left for the cities and the ipod, the ones that do and go and expand their horizons and try to introduce new systems into the family farm are howled down and the gullible rice farmers would much rather a unworkable pledge scheme that cost the country untold damage in reputation and financially , so that the handouts keep coming, if they vote accordingly , mind you the P.M. leaves the door wide open for another get rich quick scheme to materialize, what the farmers must understand that the day of handouts are past and modern methods are needed. I have actually had young people in the old folks village complain to me , that the old people don't want to listen.

Imagine that. Young people with zero experience in life or farming trying to tell old folks that have several decades of farming experience that they don't know how to farm.

What modern methods? Serious question--in what way are farmers not practicing modern methods? And please include what the cost of those modern methods are to the farmer and suggest where the farmer is supposed to find the money for those costs.

Lastly, it appears that much of the anger towards farmers is the subsidy they received from the past regime. How can you blame that on the farmer? If you are in a business and the PM offers all of you and your competitors money are you going to turn it down? Again, serious questions and I hope for serious answers.

Thanks

Yes imagine that old fossils learning new tricks... its amazing how rigid older people are how set in their ways they are. Obviously Vietnam is not a good example of an open market however they produce a lot more per rai.

I sometimes wonder about crop rotation here.. doubt its practiced much because of mono crops. Thing is Thais use a lot of fertilizer and inceticides to keep their non crop rotated fields good. Young people know about crop rotation (but its been around for ages) the also know that going more green would help. The kings idea's of different crops and fish is good.

My anger towards farmers is because I grew up among farmers they are always the first to complain and beg for handouts. I have nothing against these small farmers but if you cannot make ends meet then you surely are not doing the right thing. If i was selling old nokia's instead of smartphones or would still be selling desktop computers in a declining market the government would not help me out. Why farmes.. because they are militant and because they are good at selling their votes.

The farmers are not innocent, they would be if they tried changing.. but so far i see little change.

I am not against subsidies to help them change, but I am against the culture of handouts that lives among farmers.

So offer them help and some money while they change but make it clear this money will stop and the aim is for them to be self sufficient.

[robblok]

The General really knows how to make friends, doesn't he?

It's not about handouts - but to his point in the OP,... POOR farmers lease part or all of their land. The 'handout' helps their 'landlord'

So he says no handouts we don't have money. The Thai farmers are going to watch him spend money on so many other projects and wonder what's going on.

The general says nice things that make sense, but he might want to roll out a few concrete projects which will have a positive impact. And do it soon, too - otherwise it is just promises from a general cum politician. So far, the general has shown that he is a military man through and through with a complete lack of real understanding for the plight of farmers - be they producing rice or rubber or other crops.

"So far, the general has shown that he is a military man through and through with a complete lack of real understanding for the plight of farmers - be they producing rice or rubber or other crops. "

But it would be fair to say that P.M. Prayut's predecessor had a total and comprehensive understanding of the farmer's plight and a solid solution to their problems?

Congratulations, you win todays prize of being the first to bring the previous administration into the topic.

We all know YS had sweet FA understanding of farming but she has a better line in handbags than the current Duke of York in charge now, so we sort of forgive her.

An other red shirt that cant read.. I was the first to introduce them in one of my posts in this topic.

Edited October 14, 2014 by robblok

[cooked]

The General really knows how to make friends, doesn't he?

It's not about handouts - but to his point in the OP,... POOR farmers lease part or all of their land. The 'handout' helps their 'landlord'

So he says no handouts we don't have money. The Thai farmers are going to watch him spend money on so many other projects and wonder what's going on.

The general says nice things that make sense, but he might want to roll out a few concrete projects which will have a positive impact. And do it soon, too - otherwise it is just promises from a general cum politician. So far, the general has shown that he is a military man through and through with a complete lack of real understanding for the plight of farmers - be they producing rice or rubber or other crops.

"So far, the general has shown that he is a military man through and through with a complete lack of real understanding for the plight of farmers - be they producing rice or rubber or other crops. "

But it would be fair to say that P.M. Prayut's predecessor had a total and comprehensive understanding of the farmer's plight and a solid solution to their problems?

Congratulations, you win todays prize of being the first to bring the previous administration into the topic.

We all know YS had sweet FA understanding of farming but she has a better line in handbags than the current Duke of York in charge now, so we sort of forgive her.

Rubber: when prices were good, farmers were allowed to destroy forest lands and plant. Surprise, prices went down, and not only in Thailand. Same thing with the oil palm I guess. Rice: a different game in some parts of Isaan. Around here it is the only thing that can be cultivated, one crop a year. Otherwise too little water, even fish ponds dry out, boreholes are too expensive to run. The only adjustment that farmers here can make is to sell their land and move to Bangkok.

[rickirs]

It looks like it's time for a couple more Happiness concerts, some free movie passes, and some invitations to the local 24/7 Reconciliation Center.

[robblok]

The General really knows how to make friends, doesn't he?

It's not about handouts - but to his point in the OP,... POOR farmers lease part or all of their land. The 'handout' helps their 'landlord'

So he says no handouts we don't have money. The Thai farmers are going to watch him spend money on so many other projects and wonder what's going on.

The general says nice things that make sense, but he might want to roll out a few concrete projects which will have a positive impact. And do it soon, too - otherwise it is just promises from a general cum politician. So far, the general has shown that he is a military man through and through with a complete lack of real understanding for the plight of farmers - be they producing rice or rubber or other crops.

"So far, the general has shown that he is a military man through and through with a complete lack of real understanding for the plight of farmers - be they producing rice or rubber or other crops. "

But it would be fair to say that P.M. Prayut's predecessor had a total and comprehensive understanding of the farmer's plight and a solid solution to their problems?

Congratulations, you win todays prize of being the first to bring the previous administration into the topic.

We all know YS had sweet FA understanding of farming but she has a better line in handbags than the current Duke of York in charge now, so we sort of forgive her.

Rubber: when prices were good, farmers were allowed to destroy forest lands and plant. Surprise, prices went down, and not only in Thailand. Same thing with the oil palm I guess. Rice: a different game in some parts of Isaan. Around here it is the only thing that can be cultivated, one crop a year. Otherwise too little water, even fish ponds dry out, boreholes are too expensive to run. The only adjustment that farmers here can make is to sell their land and move to Bangkok.

But what is the alternative.. subsidize something that is not profitable forever ? I say no better put that money in education.