Cabinet approves oil palm imports amid protest from farmers

[Lite Beer]

Cabinet approves oil palm imports amid protest from farmers

BANGKOK: -- The Cabinet today endorsed the proposal to import 50,000 tons of palm oil to tackle the shortage problem.

The approval sparked off outcry by the private sector and oil palm farmers who feared that the import could bring about oversupply in the market.

The proposed import of 50,000 tons of raw palm oil was submitted to the cabinet by the National Oil Palm Policy Committee following concern that drought last year had affected oil palm plantations and resulted in supply shortfall.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Amnuay Patise said the import will be carried out by the Public Warehouse Organization under regular procedures, beginning this February.

But the cabinet’s approval was opposed by some oil palm farmers and oil palm association who feared that the import would push down the price of their palm produce.

However Mr Amnuay affirmed that the Cabinet made the decision while taking all potential impacts into account. In a bid to safeguard the farmers against a price decline, the Cabinet resolved to offer them a minimum price guarantee at 5 baht per kilogramme.

The deputy minister said the imported lot will bring up the country’s palm oil stock to about 200,000 tons, which is deemed appropriate.

President of the Palm Oil Farmers Association of Thailand Manat Phuttharat today submitted a letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, asking the government to delay importing the palm oil.

He said ripe oil palms would enter the market in February, making it possible that the imports would lead to a palm oil oversupply.

He added that palm oil from other countries had lower quality than the domestically grown oil palms.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/cabinet-approves-oil-palm-imports-amid-protest-farmers

-- Thai PBS 2015-01-20

[chotthee]

Sorry, under junta rule, no protest is allowed.

Prayuth approve import to sure palm oil stay cheap for consumers; keeping Thai people happy.

[Pib]

Just keeping the "happy machine" well oiled.

[iReason]

I never touch it.

It and coconut oil are the worst crap oils that you can put in your body.

And ALL Thai use Palm Oil.

[rickirs]

"In a bid to safeguard the farmers against a price decline, the Cabinet resolved to offer them a minimum price guarantee at 5 baht per kilogramme."

Here we go again - another farmer subsidy. Another off-budget cost, more deficit spending.

The Junta had, as soon as it took power, expressed opposition to capilalism and has since, repeatedly, refused to allow the marketplace to set prices by adapting socialist policies. I'm not surprised as the Junta lacks the discipline to make hard economic decisions because it has chosen to play POLITICS. The Junta-led government is operating no differenly than a civilian-elected government from a pollitical perspective - but at least it doesn't have to be accountable to the majority of the Thai electorate.

[maidee]

dont thai love shortages?

that would mean : increase in price

[maidee]

I never touch it.

It and coconut oil are the worst crap oils that you can put in your body.

And ALL Thai use Palm Oil.

coconut oil is medium chain fatty acids, you don't get fat, it is brain food, it is not stored as fat in the body

why you think palm is 50 baht per litre

and coconut oil is 250+ baht for half a litre ?

next you will say: butter is bad, and margarine is healthy

woehahaha

educate yourself

[halloween]

"In a bid to safeguard the farmers against a price decline, the Cabinet resolved to offer them a minimum price guarantee at 5 baht per kilogramme."

Here we go again - another farmer subsidy. Another off-budget cost, more deficit spending.

The Junta had, as soon as it took power, expressed opposition to capilalism and has since, repeatedly, refused to allow the marketplace to set prices by adapting socialist policies. I'm not surprised as the Junta lacks the discipline to make hard economic decisions because it has chosen to play POLITICS. The Junta-led government is operating no differenly than a civilian-elected government from a pollitical perspective - but at least it doesn't have to be accountable to the majority of the Thai electorate.

The majority of the Thai electorate DID NOT vote for PTP, who weren't accountable even to those who voted for it.

[robblok]

I never touch it.

It and coconut oil are the worst crap oils that you can put in your body.

And ALL Thai use Palm Oil.

coconut oil is medium chain fatty acids, you don't get fat, it is brain food, it is not stored as fat in the body

why you think palm is 50 baht per litre

and coconut oil is 250+ baht for half a litre ?

next you will say: butter is bad, and margarine is healthy

woehahaha

educate yourself

Almost correct, it can get stored in the body when there is an oversupply of food. But otherwise yes coconut oil is good for you.

[halloween]

coconut oil is medium chain fatty acids, you don't get fat, it is brain food, it is not stored as fat in the body

why you think palm is 50 baht per litre

and coconut oil is 250+ baht for half a litre ?

next you will say: butter is bad, and margarine is healthy

woehahaha

educate yourself

Almost correct, it can get stored in the body when there is an oversupply of food. But otherwise yes coconut oil is good for you.

Tom Hanks' character in Cast Away, after spending a few years on an island, assured us that it is also a natural laxative. My experience here tends to confirm that statement.