'New' rice scheme reveals Thai govt's dearth of ideas

[webfact]

'New' Rice Scheme Reveals Thailand Junta's Dearth of Ideas
By Rob Edens

Thailand's ruling junta is reverting to familiar political tactics

LONDON: -- It says much for the current junta’s ability to govern Thailand that they have chosen to exploit the very same idea, or one very near to it, which last year led them to depose their sworn enemy—former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Or at least that was the feeling after Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak unveiled on October 16th a ‘swoosh’ styled, long-term program to kick-start the country’s lagging economy that featured front-and-center a… rice subsidy scheme.

Somkid was nevertheless quick to point out that this new version is far better than that which Yingluck’s government introduced (cue raising of eyebrows.) While Yingluck’s government subsided rice farming by paying an inflated price for the crop, the junta’s scheme paid farmers a direct cash handout last year of 1000 baht per 0.4 of an acre. Yes, there are additional inclusions to the junta’s 35 billion baht plans to boost Thailand’s agricultural structure, such as in diversification of crops, but in essence there is little difference between these plans and those that Yingluck’s government sought to implement. Which tells us one thing: the junta is, to be perfectly blunt, entirely out of ideas.

Implementing a policy of this nature in the same week that Yingluck was threatened with having her assets seized to compensate for the alleged failures of almost the exact same policy – a move that has been initiated entirely outside the legal system – is a perfect example of Thailand’s cognitive dissonance.

Full story: http://thediplomat.com/2015/10/new-rice-scheme-reveals-thailand-juntas-dearth-of-ideas/

-- THE DIPLOMAT 2015-10-24

[GinBoy2]

Just when the Junta needed a good example of 'defamation' of their rule to justify their idiotic gateway censoring (sorry, I mean totally understandable removable of defaming information designed to destabilize and create confusion) nonsense...Viola, a pesky foreign source rises to oblige.

Sometimes it's good to know there is a God LOL

[Bluespunk]

It's not the same idea at all.

It's not a great idea or a new one, it probably won't do much to stimulate growth, but it's still not as catastrophically stupid as PT's one.

Edited October 23, 2015 by Bluespunk

[Thailand]

And yet again when you think it can't get dafter here the ptb manage to do it.

[ezzra]

The government had to come up with a way, again, to appease and pacify the grass roots of this country and keep

the minions quiet and tamed and in their farms rather than having them march on BKK,

any scheme that involved a guaranteed payout, no matter at what level, is doomed to fail, why would a farmer will

try to do better and try other crops if the government is insuring him his pay day? how long can Thai governments

can go on to hand out monies to failing farmers?

[jerojero]

Pot black, Kettle Black. Goose and gander alike. Same same different, but really same same. This government never fails to disappoint.

[gabruce]

Well it is a 35 billion baht plan instead of 500 billion. It's also about crop diversification. I am not commenting on whether it will be effective or not. It certainly is much cheaper.

[robblok]

It's not the same idea at all.

It's not a great idea or a new one, it probably won't do much to stimulate growth, but it's still not as catastrophically stupid as PT's one.

This is actually a far better idea, it does not require storage or fake G2G deals and imported rice from Cambodia.

If they also cap the payout so only poor farmers git it it will be good otherwise its bad but not as bad as the rice scam.

[AGareth2]

yes but if it fails will they be asked to compensate the state?

[clockman]

Land of scams!

[waldroj]

No new surprises here!

[Hawk]

Which tells us one thing: the junta is, to be perfectly blunt, entirely out of ideas."

Exactly! It never had any ideas in the first place!

[AGareth2]

a move that has been initiated entirely outside the legal system – is a perfect example of Thailand’s cognitive dissonance.

interesting words

[MZurf]

It's not the same idea at all.

It's not a great idea or a new one, it probably won't do much to stimulate growth, but it's still not as catastrophically stupid as PT's one.

No, no. Not the same idea at all, because the junta don't do populist policies, only policies for the population, popular population policies, non-populist populist policies...errr

[Gunna]

yes but if it fails will they be asked to compensate the state?

I think the writer of the main article has got himself confused, and mixed things up.

Last years payment to farmers was 1000,bt per rai up to a maximium of 15 rai - so excluded large land holders and companies that own land, unlike Thaksin's Rice Scam which mainly benefited the already rich land holders.

Since the package was launched on 20 October until 23 October , around 200,000 out of the 3.4 million registered farmers have already received the money while the rest are expected to get theirs by November.

He also urged the farmers who have not yet received the subsidy to check their right by contacting a nearest Agricultural Extension office. If their right is confirmed, they can open bank accounts with the BAAC and wait for the money to be transferred into the accounts. The BAAC reiterated that the money would only be transferred to farmers who are eligible for the assistance

And so far no reports of farmers committing suicide

No reports of corruption, or false payments, although I am sure there were some.

Here are the details of the September 2015 StimulusPplan - no mention of direct subsidy to farmers.

Maybe the writer was paid by TS/PTP to spread the usual lies to garnish public sympathy for Yingluck

Business leaders and economists in Thailand have generally welcomed a 136 billion baht ($4 billion) stimulus plan approved by the cabinet Tuesday to breathe life into the country's impoverished economic base.

"This is strong medicine," Banthoon Lamsam told reporters. The chairman of Kasikornbank, Thailand's fourth-largest bank by assets, went on to describe the package as "an injection right where the stagnation is."

The stimulus plan has three parts:

Loans totaling 60 billion baht over seven years to low-income earners with two years' interest waived.

A 5 million baht individual cash injection to over 7,000 tambon, or districts, nationwide for small construction and repair projects that employ locals.

A 24 billion baht budget for small government projects of less than 1 million baht that will be contracted to small and medium enterprises.

"There's no money circulating among people at the lower end of the economy," said Banthoon. He said that "seed" money is essential, but the government must keep a sharp eye on how it is spent. Interest-free loans, for example, should not be used to repay debt. "The money must be spent for trading and purchasing products to create a real circulation of the economic system."

[robblok]

It's not the same idea at all.

It's not a great idea or a new one, it probably won't do much to stimulate growth, but it's still not as catastrophically stupid as PT's one.

No, no. Not the same idea at all, because the junta don't do populist policies, only policies for the population, popular population policies, non-populist populist policies...errr

You say your not partial to the Shins but if your so blind that you cant see the difference. If only the difference in scale of money 10 fold or so.

Giving a subsidy per ray to the poor farmers is 10 times better as what YL did because the money from the rice program did not even reach the poor farmers as they had no rice to sell. This program helps even the poor and if it is capped off at a certain amount of rai then its a perfect plan that only helps the poor. (if not its still far better but not perfect) and I am against subsidies also in other countries.

[arfurcrown]

Hmm .

Now I wonder if anyone has or in fact had looked at the assorted ''farming incentives'' etc that are running in the E.C. including the U.K. ?

Now casting metaphorical stones is fine but one really should or must look around ones own environment political and practical before casting those metaphorical self righteous stones shouldn't one?

[mike324]

Like I've said in the past, the government will suffer less loss by simply handing out cash than try to buy rice at 40% above market price. You have to make the farmers happy to show that you care, unfortunately educating them is not an option and does not work, telling them to change jobs does not work. Giving out cash makes them happy while minimizing the hole in Thailands pocket.

There is less corruption in this scheme, no warehouse refusing to pay farmers full price, no farmers trying to sells substandard rice, no one trying to bring in rice from across the border to game the rice scheme. Subsidies and policies like this are a must in every country to help the low income farmers. So while its the same type of scheme, its not even close to what Thaksin and Yingluck's level, the damage and loss they cause the country.

[Denim]

The government needs a catchy little slogan to promote this . How about :

' Thaksin thinks , Prayuth acts '.

[sawadee1947]

only the "leaders" changed. Only another clan. But same idiotic ideas. The Generals helps hem all: fishermen, rubber farmers, and not to forget the rice farmers. Next he can sit beside Yingluck. Nice Buddys.

[Bluespunk]

It's not the same idea at all.

It's not a great idea or a new one, it probably won't do much to stimulate growth, but it's still not as catastrophically stupid as PT's one.

No, no. Not the same idea at all, because the junta don't do populist policies, only policies for the population, popular population policies, non-populist populist policies...errr

No, it's not the same because it's not as criminally and catastrophically stupid as PT's moronic economically insane one.

[MZurf]

It's not the same idea at all.

It's not a great idea or a new one, it probably won't do much to stimulate growth, but it's still not as catastrophically stupid as PT's one.

No, no. Not the same idea at all, because the junta don't do populist policies, only policies for the population, popular population policies, non-populist populist policies...errr

No, it's not the same because it's not as criminally and catastrophically stupid as PT's moronic economically insane one.

Actually, anything this unelected government does is illegal. Why do you think they granted themselves an amnesty right after the coup?

[LannaGuy]

no populist policies right? you gotta larf no buying subs for BILLIONS right? guys with guns should not run countries... period

[Bluespunk]

It's not the same idea at all.

It's not a great idea or a new one, it probably won't do much to stimulate growth, but it's still not as catastrophically stupid as PT's one.

No, no. Not the same idea at all, because the junta don't do populist policies, only policies for the population, popular population policies, non-populist populist policies...errr

No, it's not the same because it's not as criminally and catastrophically stupid as PT's moronic economically insane one.

Actually, anything this unelected government does is illegal. Why do you think they granted themselves an amnesty right after the coup?

Different issue.

[halloween]

No, it's not the same because it's not as criminally and catastrophically stupid as PT's moronic economically insane one.

Actually, anything this unelected government does is illegal. Why do you think they granted themselves an amnesty right after the coup?

The junta granted themselves an amnesty because a coup is an inherently illegal act. It would not cover them for any crimes committed while in government. OTOH why did the Yingluk government feel the need to grant themselves an amnesty?

Your claim that the current government is illegal is misinformed opinion, not uncommon in red supporters. If you ever find the need to use it for defense in a court, please let us know. We all enjoy a good laugh.

[trogers]

It's the same idea Yingluck's opposition had suggested in Parliament during her term as PM, with the added stimulus for crop diversification.

[MZurf]

No, it's not the same because it's not as criminally and catastrophically stupid as PT's moronic economically insane one.

Actually, anything this unelected government does is illegal. Why do you think they granted themselves an amnesty right after the coup?

The junta granted themselves an amnesty because a coup is an inherently illegal act. It would not cover them for any crimes committed while in government. OTOH why did the Yingluk government feel the need to grant themselves an amnesty?

Your claim that the current government is illegal is misinformed opinion, not uncommon in red supporters. If you ever find the need to use it for defense in a court, please let us know. We all enjoy a good laugh.

"The junta granted themselves an amnesty because a coup is an inherently illegal act"

Thank you for confirming that.

"It would not cover them for any crimes committed while in government."

Actually, they granted themselves an amnesty for all past, present and future crimes.

"Your claim that the current government is illegal is misinformed opinion,..."

Thank you for that clear and concise argument, but maybe you can be a bit more specific?

" If you ever find the need to use it for defense in a court..."

What's "it"?

[halloween]

No, it's not the same because it's not as criminally and catastrophically stupid as PT's moronic economically insane one.

Actually, anything this unelected government does is illegal. Why do you think they granted themselves an amnesty right after the coup?

The junta granted themselves an amnesty because a coup is an inherently illegal act. It would not cover them for any crimes committed while in government. OTOH why did the Yingluk government feel the need to grant themselves an amnesty?

Your claim that the current government is illegal is misinformed opinion, not uncommon in red supporters. If you ever find the need to use it for defense in a court, please let us know. We all enjoy a good laugh.

"The junta granted themselves an amnesty because a coup is an inherently illegal act"

Thank you for confirming that.

"It would not cover them for any crimes committed while in government."

Actually, they granted themselves an amnesty for all past, present and future crimes.

"Your claim that the current government is illegal is misinformed opinion,..."

Thank you for that clear and concise argument, but maybe you can be a bit more specific?

" If you ever find the need to use it for defense in a court..."

What's "it"?

You are even more sadly misinformed than I thought - that misinformed opinion being the "it" you claim not to understand.

The answer to the question you ignored was that Yingluk's amnesty was an admission of the crimes commited by her, her government, various family members included, and her supporters. Such a blatant conflict of interest is a crime of corrupt abuse of office in itself. Perhaps she needed an amnesty for the crime of giving herself an amnesty?

[MZurf]

No, it's not the same because it's not as criminally and catastrophically stupid as PT's moronic economically insane one.

Actually, anything this unelected government does is illegal. Why do you think they granted themselves an amnesty right after the coup?

The junta granted themselves an amnesty because a coup is an inherently illegal act. It would not cover them for any crimes committed while in government. OTOH why did the Yingluk government feel the need to grant themselves an amnesty?

Your claim that the current government is illegal is misinformed opinion, not uncommon in red supporters. If you ever find the need to use it for defense in a court, please let us know. We all enjoy a good laugh.

"The junta granted themselves an amnesty because a coup is an inherently illegal act"

Thank you for confirming that.

"It would not cover them for any crimes committed while in government."

Actually, they granted themselves an amnesty for all past, present and future crimes.

"Your claim that the current government is illegal is misinformed opinion,..."

Thank you for that clear and concise argument, but maybe you can be a bit more specific?

" If you ever find the need to use it for defense in a court..."

What's "it"?

You are even more sadly misinformed than I thought - that misinformed opinion being the "it" you claim not to understand.

The answer to the question you ignored was that Yingluk's amnesty was an admission of the crimes commited by her, her government, various family members included, and her supporters. Such a blatant conflict of interest is a crime of corrupt abuse of office in itself. Perhaps she needed an amnesty for the crime of giving herself an amnesty?

Here's a newsflash for you; the PTP is no longer in power. The elected government was overthrown by the junta. I know, hard to remember but do try.

[EnglishJohn]

People seem to miss that the big problem with the PTP rice scheme was that 500 billion of a 600 billion budget never made it to the farmers.

Subsidy is one issue. Nobody is denying the poorest need helping. Massive corruption is another.